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The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has unveiled the nine full-length and 10 short films competing in its 22nd edition, which will run from August 6 to 18 across select cinemas in Metro Manila.

The lineup for the 22nd edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has been revealed, with nine full-length films and 10 short films set to compete for this year's top prizes.

Cinemalaya 22 will run from August 6 to 18 under the theme "Reel Reflections," highlighting stories that explore the realities, aspirations, struggles, and triumphs that shape the Filipino experience.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. announced that Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza will once again serve as the festival's main venue. Ayala Malls remains a partner venue, while Gateway Cineplex returns to host festival screenings.

According to the organizers, this year's competing entries offer different perspectives on identity, family, memory, resilience, justice, love, and contemporary life.

The nine full-length films competing for the Balanghai Trophy are:

A.ni.mál by Dustin Celestino
2 Valid IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz
Ganggang by JL Burgos
Hand of God by Mark Duane Angos
Mag-iina by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca
Kaka sa Yawan by Alpha Habon
Status: Rejected by Vahn Leinard Pascual
Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam by David Corpuz
Tirik by May-i Guia Padilla

Meanwhile, the 10 short films selected for competition are:

Elenita Elene Elaine by Gabriela Serrano
Honey, My Love, So Sweet by JT Trinidad
Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! by Norvin de los Santos
Kung Paano Kakalas by Joseph Vitali
Para-paraan by Mae Chan Li
Runo! by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña
Silkscreen by Rey Anthony Villaverde
Sorbetes by Jennissie Gilbuena
The Keeper by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ
The River Flows in Different Places by Lot-lot Hermosura

Running alongside the festival is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Southeast Asia's longest-running independent film competition. The event will feature entries in the Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation categories, continuing its mission of providing a platform for emerging filmmakers and alternative forms of cinema.

Since it began in 2005, Cinemalaya has showcased more than 1,000 independent films, documentaries, restored classics, and Asian titles, becoming one of the country's leading platforms for Filipino filmmakers and original storytelling.