MFF 2025 UNVEILS ITS FIRST EVER CINEMA OPEN FILM COMPETITION
In Photo: (Lower Left Photo) City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong delivered his message of support, Ferdinand L. Balanag – Festival Director, Montañosa Film Festival, CBCC Co-Chair Marie Venus Tan, Randy Castro, Councilor Jose “Joemol” Molintas, Raymond Sakiwat-Festival Lead Organizer and Julius Lumiqued – MFF Filmmaker with the host PIA-CAR Regional Director and Art Tibaldo – Executive Director of the Creative Baguio City Council. Photo by Mario Oclaman //FNS
Baguio City – As it marks its 5th year, the Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) takes a bold new step by launching its first-ever Cinema Open Film Competition. With over 230 participants from across the Philippines, this highly anticipated competition aims to showcase the country’s diverse cinematic voices and celebrate the power of storytelling.
This year, MFF is expanding its scope with four (4) distinct categories in the competition: Narrative, Mobile, Documentary, and Experimental. These categories open doors for filmmakers of all kinds to showcase their stories and creativity nationally, celebrating diverse forms of cinematic expression. Whether it’s a traditional narrative piece, a mobile film shot on a phone, or a ground-breaking experimental project, MFF is pushing the boundaries of what can be considered film.
“Cinema is an ever-expanding force, much like the ripples of water or the echoes across mountains. It shapes perspectives and inspires change. This year’s festival will be a celebration of storytelling in all its forms, as well as an invitation for our audiences to embrace diverse voices and narratives,” said Ferdinand Balanag, Montañosa Film Festival founder and festival director.
As part of MFFs comprehensive offerings, this year’s edition will also feature the animation festival in partnership with the Cordillera School of Digital Arts (CSDA), showcasing the creativity and talent of animators from the region.
MFF 2025 is further enriched by the Sinemusikain — a month-long cinema plus music plus a food fair. This exciting event offers a mix of free film screenings, live concerts, and a vibrant food festival, offering something for every creative and cultural enthusiast to enjoy.
“Montañosa Film Festival is a holistic platform that not only allows filmmakers to present their work but also provides a space for budding filmmakers to explore and develop their craft,” Balanag Continues.
Since its inception, MFF has already played a key role in the production of 58 locally produced films through the support of the local government of Baguio, some of which have earned national and international recognition. These films have reached global audiences, fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the diverse talents of Filipino filmmakers.
Jonathan Jurilla, the MFF 2023 narrative film competition winner and MFF 2024 documentary film competition winner, is a celebrated filmmaker whose work has earned a prestigious Palanca Award. His film Love Child, the narrative adaption of his MFF documentary My Boy Superman, was a finalist at Cinemalaya and achieved remarkable success on Netflix, ranking among the platform’s top 10 most-watched films in the Philippines for over a month.
Another stand-out filmmaker is Julius Lumiqued, who successfully produced The Wedding Dance, a film adaption of Amador Daguio’s claimed short story. His work earned a spot at Cinemalaya last year, highlighting the societal pressures surrounding marriage in Cordillera communities through a compelling narrative.
MFF has been a proud partner of educational institutions in Baguio, including the University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras, Pines City National High School, and Baguio City National High School. Through these partner schools, MFF has actively engaged students by hosting film screenings, film talks, and workshops, providing a platform for aspiring filmmakers to learn, explore, and develop their craft. These institutions continue to play a vital role in the festival’s mission, fostering a new generation of storytellers and strengthening Baguio’s creative community.
The Festival promises an exciting lineup of events beginning with the opening ceremony on March 26, 2025, at SM City Baguio. These will be followed by the cinema’s open premier and exclusive screenings on March 27-28 at SM cinemas showcasing the best works from this year’s competition. Adding an international dimension, the international film festival launch, in collaboration with various embassies, will take place on March 27 featuring a first-world premier screening of Riki Rhino, a premier screening of Woman from Rote Island, and the short film Wayang: Shadow of the Night from the Indonesian Embassy. The Festival will culminate in the awarding ceremony on March 30, 2025, honoring the most outstanding films and filmmakers of the year. Finally, MFF 2025 will conclude on April 6, 2025, with the annual folk music festival at the Rose Garden, Baguio City, celebrating the intersection of cinema and the region’s rich musical heritage.
According to Balanag, the core of MFF’s mission is promoting film tourism in the Cordillera region, positioning the area as a key tourist destination while highlighting its cultural and creative wealth.
As a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), Baguio City is proud to be a center for artistic innovation that supports a sustainable and responsible tourism economy.
Through this celebration of cinema and cultural exchange, the Montañosa Film Festival continues to reinforce Baguio’s role as a cultural hub where creativity thrives and diverse stories resonate across borders. (PR)
The purpose of the Montañosa Film Festival serve as a platform to showcase and support local filmmakers, particularly those from the Cordillera region. Its primary goal is to provide opportunities for homegrown artists to nurture their craft and seamlessly blend their creations into the metropolitan landscape and creative economy of Baguio City.
The festival achieves this by featuring a diverse array of cinematic gems, including independent short films, documentaries, and mobile films. It also offers a range of activities, such as workshops, film screenings, and talks with industry professionals, to educate and inspire aspiring filmmakers.
By promoting local filmmaking talent, the Montañosa Film Festival contributes to Baguio City’s status as a UNESCO Creative City, reinforcing its commitment to encouraging creativity and innovation in the field of crafts and folk arts. ###
