As Southeast Asian cinema undergoes a creative renaissance, the Philippines stands out as a force of fearless, independent storytelling. At the 2024 Alternativa Film Festival, the country ranked second in submissions with an impressive 132 entries, exhibiting the strength and diversity of its cinematic voice. These films explore themes of cultural identity, social injustice, and resilience, resonating with audiences across the region
Now, with the 2026 edition of the Alternativa Film Festival to be held in Columbia, is officially opening submissions across Asia, this momentum signals a renewed platform for emerging Filipino filmmakers to be seen and celebrated. Serving as more than a festival alone, Alternativa is a rostrum for underheard stories that confront political repression, economic divides, and the erosion of cultural identity which are stories that continue to define and challenge the region’s cinematic future.
A global platform for the Global South
Backed by global mobility and technology company inDrive, the festival has announced its third edition will be held in Colombia in the second quarter of 2026.
The upcoming cycle will feature an expanded USD 120,000 prize fund and a renewed focus on uplifting filmmakers from the Global South, like the Philippines and Indonesia. Feature-length films of all genres are accepted from Latin America and Asia, while the short film categories are reserved exclusively for Latin America.
“At Alternativa, we see an opportunity to spotlight the Philippines, not just as a location, but as a wellspring of stories that matter,” said Brillante Mendoza, renowned Filipino filmmaker. “This festival is an important avenue for Filipino creators to share narratives that reflect our truths, struggles, and cultural identity with the world.”
For this edition, the festival welcomes feature-length films from across Asia, offering a timely platform for Filipino filmmakers to stand alongside regional peers on the global stage.
Post-pandemic opportunities for Filipino cinema
First launched in Kazakhstan in 2023 and expanded to Indonesia in 2024, the Alternativa Film Festival has steadily grown into a vital platform for Global South storytelling. Its second edition in Yogyakarta left a strong impression with a dynamic program and a well-received awards ceremony. Now shifting to Latin America, Alternativa reflects not just geographic expansion but a broader mission: evolving from a film awards program into a full-fledged festival. This transformation, marked by the addition of screenings, industry dialogues, and curated events, comes at a critical time for Philippine cinema, which lingers to recover from the pandemic’s economic toll.
In the wake of the pandemic’s extended disruption during which most local films released in 2022 failed to break the ₱10 million mark, emerging Filipino filmmakers have been actively seeking new tribunes and global backing. Alternativa presents a timely avenue to exhibit arcane, often overlooked narratives that fuse artistic merit with pressing social themes.
Beyond borders: A call to Filipino filmmakers
With submissions opening from June 10, 2025 to October 10, 2025, the festival accepts fiction, documentaries, animations, and hybrid works completed after January 1, 2025. For Filipino filmmakers still grappling with limited local platforms and funding, this represents a significant opportunity. With each regional shift, the festival remains anchored in its core mission: amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering storytellers to drive meaningful change.
The 2026 edition of the Alternativa Film Festival will feature, among other events, free public screenings of films selected for its official Competition lineup. These will be complemented by impact-driven discussions and community engagements aimed at incubating meaningful dialogue and amplifying the films’ social relevance. Filmmakers whose works are included in the Competition will be invited to attend the festival and awards ceremony, with travel and accommodation expenses shouldered by the organizers.
As the clamor for stronger support for filmmakers grows across the industry, initiatives like Alternativa provide a beacon of opportunity for the next generation of Filipino storytellers eager to bring their narratives to the global stage.
Details on the host city in Columbia, exact dates of the festival, as well as the composition of the Selection Committee and International Jury, are expected to be announced in the coming months. Full submission guidelines are available at alternativa.film.
