MANILA — The CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 celebrated outstanding stories and its storytellers at its awards night held in Quezon City, Wednesday, recognizing the talents who pushed the boundaries of Philippine cinema on a new level.

“Yung level of upgrade ng pelikula both sa student shorts and full-length films. Iba. All of a sudden ganon na— all of a sudden ray of hope sa takbo ng film industry natin,” Festival Director Chris Cahilig said.

Cahilig noted that all entries were strong, making the selection process highly competitive. Best in Cinematography and Best Actor, in particular, had the longest deliberations.

“May dalawa category it was so difficult, bardagulan. Kulang mag sabunutan jury! Sa full-lenth ang hirap mag decide,” he shared in jest,” he said.

Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day) and JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi) tied for Panalong Aktor (Best Actor).

“Ang lala ng best actor. That was such a long debate.May best film na, wala pa kami best actor,” he recalled. “You can see so many actors [are] committed sa roles nila.”

Best in Cinematography was awarded to Dominic Lat for “Journeyman” and Kara Moreno for “Olsen’s Day.”

“Cinematography— unbelievable. Ano yung importansya ng cinematography sa narrative, na-atake. Two days screening and deliberation. Hours of deliberation. Everytime we validate nominations, cinematography was crazy,” Cahilig shared.

Full-Length: Salum (TM Malones)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Clyde Cuizon Gamale)

Full-Length: Journeyman (Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat); Fleeting (Catsi Catalan)

Student Shorts: Sampie, (Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit)

Full-Length: JP Habac, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Vhan Marco B. Molacruz, Uwian

Full-Length: Ruby Ruiz as Nay Pansay, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Geraldine Villamil as Remy, Uwian

Full-Length: Khalil Ramos as Olsen, Olsen’s Day; JP Larroder as Tata, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Lucas Martin as Sam, SamPie; Jasper John as Juan Dela Cruz, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Dela Cruz, Juan P. (Sean Rafael A. Verdejo)

Full-Length: Co-Love (Jill Singson Urdaneta)

Student Shorts: Sisenta! (Mae Malaya)

Full-Length: Gabby Padilla as Marlin, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Uzziel Delamide as Imang, Uwian

Full-Length: Jeffrey Jiruma as Pol, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Sol Eugenio as Tekbong, Champ Green

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Sine-Sine (Roniño Dolim)

Full-Length: Tara Illenberger, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Clyde Cuizon Gamale, Champ Green

Full-Length: Dominic Lat, Journeyman; Kara Moreno, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Lance Lascano, Dan, En Pointe

Full-Length: Kyle Fermindoza, Salum

Student Shorts: Andrea Jayne Perang, Uwian

Full-Length: Armor Rapista, Salum

Student Shorts: Len Calvo, Uwian

Full-Length: Vanessa Ubas de Leon, Co-Love

Student Shorts: Jose Andy Sales, G!

Full-Length: Fatima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona, Salum

Student Shorts: Elian Idioma, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

Full-Length: “DI KO PINILI” by Kiko Salazar, performed by Chie, Co-Love

Student Shorts: “Suga, Camera, Saad” by Jonathan Rey Sartorio and Lloyd Martin Villacortes Arce, performed by Jonathan Rey “ROTT” Sartorio, Sine-Sine

Full-Length: Journeyman (555 Sardines and Lucky Me!)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Bear Brand), G! (Chuckie)

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts: Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

Student Shorts: Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo; Taympers by Naiah Nicole Mendoza

Full-Length: Journeyman

Student Shorts:

1. Dan, En Pointe by Adelbert Abrigonda

2. Sine-Sine by Roniño Dolim

3. 1… 2… Strike!!! by Kenneth Flores

Full-Length: Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Champ Green

Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat