Cinemata 2.0: Breaking Free From Big Tech Control

By Jen Tarnate on 21 July 2025

Cinemata 2.0 is here! On July 31, 2025, Cinemata unveils its most ambitious leap yet: the full open-source release of CinemataCMS 2.0—a purpose-built video platform designed for social impact. Developed by and for filmmakers, activists, and educators in the Asia-Pacific, this community-driven alternative to Big Tech platforms puts advocacy, security, and digital sovereignty front and centre.

The revolution is open-source

After four years of pioneering privacy-respecting video advocacy in the region, Cinemata.org is now fully open-sourced as CinemataCMS 2.0. This platform provides a real alternative to corporate-controlled video sites, offering a secure, customizable, and censorship-resistant solution for advocacy organisations, educators, and cultural workers.

Explore the project on GitHub: github.com/EngageMedia-video/cinematacms

From one developer to a regional movement

The Cinemata video platform started with one external developer. Today, it is maintained by a growing team of Southeast Asian developers from Indonesia and the Philippines, contributing to the platform’s infrastructure, security, user experience, and documentation. This community-led model reflects Cinemata’s long-term vision of building sustainable, open technology ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific.

Security for advocacy

A comprehensive security audit by the Open Technology Fund confirms Cinemata 2.0 is production-ready for protecting sensitive advocacy content. Key improvements include:

    • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for site administrators
    • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) protection across all user inputs
    • Enhanced password requirements and HTTPS security headers
    • Session and API hardening
    • Secure media upload validation and rate-limiting protections

These safeguards ensure that the platform meets the high-risk needs of advocacy filmmakers and human rights defenders.

What sets Cinemata 2.0 apart?

Big Tech platforms often expose users to surveillance, algorithmic manipulation, and content takedowns. In contrast, CinemataCMS 2.0 offers:

    • Community control and censorship resistance
    • Curated discovery of social issue content
    • Privacy-by-design architecture
    • Creator-friendly features with transparent, low-cost hosting
    • A platform aligned with the values of justice, care, and collaboration

Built for impact

Cinemata’s track record from 2021 to 2024 includes:

    • 6,600+ user-contributed films from over 30 countries
    • Secure screening of banned films and archival of community stories
    • Critical partnerships with Freedom Film Festival, Gawad Alternatibo, FEU, and digital rights groups in Myanmar

CinemataCMS 2.0 enhances this impact through:

    • AI-powered transcription
    • Advanced content moderation tools
    • Rich text editing and improved performance infrastructure

Why organisations should adopt CinemataCMS

Whether you’re a filmmaker, campaigner, festival organiser, or educator, CinemataCMS offers:

    • A ready-to-deploy video platform that you fully control
    • Protection for sensitive content and user privacy
    • A modular system that supports community building and audience engagement
    • Tools for screening, archiving, and storytelling outside the grip of corporate algorithms

Join the launch event

Cinemata 2.0’s launch is more than a technical update. It’s a collective milestone in building ethical tech for advocacy.

Launch Event Details
Date: July 31, 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 PM Manila time (GMT+8)
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Where: Online (Zoom)

Click the link below to register for the event:

Register here

What to Expect:

    • A walkthrough of new features and security upgrades
    • Stories from the Cinemata developer team
    • Reflections from Cinemata community partners
    • Live Q&A and open discussion

Be part of the movement

In a region where freedom of expression faces increasing threats, Cinemata 2.0 demonstrates that alternative digital spaces aren’t just possible—they’re necessary. Built by Southeast Asian developers for Asia-Pacific communities, this is technology that serves movements, not markets.

Join us on July 31 to learn more, celebrate this milestone with us, and imagine what comes next!