Pasiklab Ignites Online: Cinemata Brings 37th Gawad Alternatibo Finalists to the World
The 37th Gawad Alternatibo Para sa Pelikula at Video screened its finalists from October 6-9 at the Shangri-La Plaza, and now extends that reach globally. More than 50 finalists from this year's competition are available for free on Cinemata.org—accessible worldwide until January 4, 2026.
This marks the third consecutive year that Cinemata serves as the official streaming platform for Asia's longest-running alternative film competition, bringing Filipino cinema to audiences beyond the Manila venue.
A Growing Archive of Philippine Alternative Cinema
Since partnering with the Cultural Center of the Philippines Film, Broadcast and New Media Division, Cinemata has hosted more than 500 Gawad films—transforming the annual competition into an evergreen archive. These films document the evolving landscape of Filipino alternative storytelling, preserving work that challenges conventions and sparks critical reflection.
Curation and Promotion
Cinemata's resident and volunteer curators will actively promote and program the Gawad films, featuring them on the platform's front page, social media channels, and newsletters. A growing number of young programmers have joined the effort, bringing fresh perspectives to how these films reach audiences. Through thoughtful curation and thematic programming, Cinemata helps viewers discover films aligned with their interests. As the platform continues to enhance its features through Cinemata 2.0, community engagement tools and improved discovery capabilities will deepen how audiences connect with these stories.
Get Involved: Watch, Share, and Program
The 50+ finalists span four dynamic categories: Narrative films that challenge storytelling conventions, Experimental works pushing the boundaries of cinema, Documentaries capturing urgent truths, and Animation exploring form and meaning. Whether you're a filmmaker seeking inspiration, an educator building curricula, a programmer curating screenings, or an advocate seeking stories for your cause—these films offer something transformative.
Watch and share the films on Cinemata. Young programmers and organizations: Create watch parties, host community screenings, and program these works into your spaces. Use these films as catalysts for dialogue, learning, and collective action around the issues they address. Cinemata's playlist features and embedding capabilities make it easy to integrate them into your platforms and events.
For more details about each film, visit Gawad Alternatibo's website, where the competition has embedded the finalists with complete information about each work and filmmaker.