10 Filipino indie films you can watch on YouTube for free

September is Philippine Film Industry Month, with September 12th considered the birth of Philippine Cinema with the release of the film “Dalagang Bukid” in 1919.

Led by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the month celebrates the past, present, and future of Philippine Cinema with various free screenings and events nationwide.

If you want to explore more Filipino films or cannot visit your nearest Cinematheque Centre — a variety of films are also available online for free, with genres ranging from drama and romance to thriller, documentary, and fantasy.

Here are 10 Filipino indie films to watch on YouTube anytime.

1. ‘Liway’

“Liway,” starring Glaiza De Castro, is about a mother aiming to give hope to her child as they navigate life in a prison for Martial Law detainees. The film is based on true events.

The film has won various awards, including Audience Choice and Special Jury Commendation at Cinemalaya in 2018. It won Best Picture at the Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards.

Glaiza was also nominated for Best Actress at Gawad Urian and FAMAS, and won at the 37th Film Academy of the Philippines Luna Awards, 3rd GEMS Awards, Trinity University of Asia's 5th Platinum Stallion Media Awards, and Facine Film Festival.

“Liway” is up on director Kip Oebanda’s YouTube channel.

2. ‘ML’

“ML” is another Cinemalaya 2018 film about the horrors of Martial Law. A retired Colonel Dela Cruz, played by Eddie Garcia, was one of the worst abusers during that era.

When he is visited by college students Carlo (Tony Labrusca), Pat (Lianne Valentin), and Jace (Henz Villaraiz) to talk about Martial Law for an assignment, the students get tortured like how it was during those dark days.

“ML” is up on the GMA Pictures YouTube channel.

3. ‘School Service’

“School Service” tells the story of Maya, a girl who was walking home in her province when a school service offers her a ride. The car does not stop at her home and she ends up in Manila, where she and other children are forced to beg for alms.

The film earned Ai-Ai Delas Alas a Best Actress award at Cinemalaya in 2018, with Therese Malvar winning Best Supporting Actress. Ai-Ai also won Best Actress at the Fantasporto International Film Festival, while the film took home the Special Jury Prize.

At the Asian Film Festival Barcelona in 2019, “School Service” was named Special Mention under the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) category. It also won the Gold Remi Award at the World Fest-Houston International Film Festival.

“School Service” is up on the GMA Pictures YouTube channel.

4. 'Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa’

“Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” follows a young filmmaker, Sam, and aspiring writer Isa, who start a relationship but struggle to make something out of it. Complications arise as Sam is set to leave for a renowned film school while Isa will be moving to the United States.

The film was directed by Nestor Abrogeno and stars Nicco Manalo and Emmanuelle Vera. It was originally a 20-minute short, but ended up being a full-length film that Nestor submitted for his directing class.

“Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” is up on Cinema One’s YouTube channel.

5. ‘I'm Drunk, I Love You’

“I’m Drunk, I Love You” is a modern love story that follows Carson (Maja Salvador) and Dio (Paulo Avelino). The two are best friends, but Carson has secretly been in love with Dio for seven years.

The two decide to go on a road trip to La Union ahead of their graduation from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Carson contemplates revealing her feelings for Dio, which puts them in awkward situations.

“I’m Drunk, I Love You” has gone viral through the years for its relatable story and memorable lines. SB19’s Justin and Maki recently teamed up for a script reading of the film.

“I’m Drunk, I Love You” is up on TBA Studios' YouTube channel.

6. ‘K'na, the Dreamweaver’

“K'na, the Dreamweaver” follows the title character, K'na, a young T’boli woman who is part of the royal family. She becomes a dreamweaver, creating t’nalak fabrics from the visions granted by Fu Dalu. K’na has the chance to put an end to her village’s warring clans but must give up her true love to do so.

It was directed by Ida Del Mundo and premiered at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2014.

“K'na, the Dreamweaver” is up on TBA Studios’ YouTube channel.

7. ‘Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon’

“Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon” follows an elderly unmarried couple whose daily life is upended when the woman’s estranged husband reaches out to them, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness. It stars Dante Rivero, Perla Bautista, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Romnick Sarmenta.

The film premiered at Cinemalaya in 2018.

“Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon” is up on the GMA Pictures YouTube channel.

8. ‘Saving Sally’

“Saving Sally” follows Marty (Enzo Marcos), a comic book artist, who is in love with his best friend, Sally (Rhian Ramos), a gadget inventor. Like every love story, complications abound, like Sally’s strict parents and her abusive boyfriend, with Marty trying to save Sally from the evils of the world.

“Saving Sally” had its nationwide premiere at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2016. The film took a while to produce, with animation and distribution taking 12 years, according to Rocketsheep Studio’s YouTube channel.

“Saving Sally” is up on Rocketsheep Studio’s YouTube channel.

9. ‘Smaller and Smaller Circles’

“Smaller and Smaller Circles” follows two Jesuit priests who solve the murder of young boys in Payatas, Manila. The government’s corruption, systemic issues, and class issues are exposed in the film, amid the priests' investigation to find the murderer.

The film was based on a mystery novel by F.H. Batacan. The book won the Carlos Palanca Grand Prize for the English Novel in 1999, the National Book Award in 2002, and the Madrigal-Gonzalez Award in 2003.

“Smaller and Smaller Circles” is up on TBA Studios’ YouTube channel.

10. 'Sunday Beauty Queen'

“Sunday Beauty Queen” is a documentary that centers on the realities of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong. It follows five OFWs who get makeovers and transform into glamorous beauty queens on their day off every Sunday.

It premiered at the MMFF in 2016, where it won Best Picture. It also won Best Documentary at the Gawad Urian.

“Sunday Beauty Queen” was directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, the same director of the 2025 documentary “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.”

“Sunday Beauty Queen” is up on TBA Studios’ YouTube channel.

—CDC, GMA News