Vlad Bunoan

‘Tigkiliwi’ joins Portugal’s Fantasporto 2026

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768295864151488309762_1068684618611800_1965952866037405708_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A scene from Tara Illenberger&#x27;s &#x27;Tigkiliwi.&#x27; Facebook/Bonfire Productions </div>Tara Illenberger&#x27;s “Tigkiliwi” (Longsided), a Puregold CinePanalo production, has earned a coveted slot in the Official Competitive Director&#x27;s Week of the 46th Porto International Film Festival, also known as Fantasporto 2026.“Tigkiliwi” is a chilling yet heartbreaking story about little siblings Lala and Marlin, who are orphaned and left to navigate the world alone, and how they find unexpected safety with an elderly woman who is said to be an aswang, a shape-shifting demon in Philippine folklore. The film stars Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla, Julian Paul Larroder, and Sunshine Teodoro, who have charmed local audiences and are now poised to take the world stage.The film previously received the Jury Prize at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, making it the second CinePanalo-backed production to reach Porto after &quot;Pushcart Tales.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/3/21/ruby-ruiz-tara-illenberger-dedicate-cinepanalo-awards-to-domestic-violence-victims-1211">Ruby Ruiz, Tara Illenberger dedicate CinePanalo awards to domestic violence victims</a></div>Set to take place from February 27 to March 8, Fantasporto is an international film festival that is celebrated for its high-quality, imaginative cinema, particularly in the realms of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.Offering a platform for films that push boundaries and explore new methods of storytelling, the festival attracts over 110,000 attendees annually and has been lauded by Variety as one of the top 25 film festivals of the world.“Tigkiliwi” director Illenberger is elated by the achievement and looks forward to the movie being appreciated by a foreign audience. “I’m excited to find out if people will laugh or cry, or respond to it the same way the Filipino audience did. Of course, I am thrilled by the prospect of visiting Portugal for the first time with my Puregold CinePanalo family,&quot; she said.Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed enthusiasm over the selection, stating that the film’s acceptance to Fantasporto has &quot;once again proven that Filipino narratives resonate on a global scale.&quot;&quot;We aim to pave the way for stories of our culture to receive the recognition they deserve. We could not be prouder to see another CinePanalo film represent Filipino cinema with such distinction,” she said.The Official Competitive Director’s Week, where “Tigkiliwi” will compete, is dedicated to feature films, with Fantasporto’s Asian filmmakers-eligible sections also including the Official Fantastic Cinema Section for short films (under 15 minutes) and the Oriental Express Section for features produced by Asian filmmakers.Eligibility for Fantasporto requires that films be produced in 2025, presented as a Portugal premiere, and have English subtitles for non-English dialogue.Following its Jury Prize at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, “Tigkiliwi” now embarks on its international journey, joining the ranks of Philippine films making a mark on the world’s cinematic stage.Its international recognition builds on the growing global footprint of Puregold CinePanalo titles, several of which have earned accolades at major film festivals worldwide. Aside from its Fantasporto recognition, Sigrid Bernardo’s “Pushcart Tales” (2024) was also the Philippines’ official entry for Thailand’s Pattaya Film Festival 2025.JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day” (2025) was showcased at the 31st Minsk International Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona, while TM Malones’ “Salum” (2025) garnered a Special Mention win for lead actress Christine Mary Demaisip at the Festival International du Film Transsaharien de Zagora, and selections at the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival Barcelona.Other standout CinePanalo films have also found international audiences. These include Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Co-Love” (2025), Mes de Guzman’s “Sepak Takraw” (2025), and Catsi Catalan’s “Fleeting” (2025), which were featured at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona under different competitive sections. “Sepak Takraw” was also featured at the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival.  Short films under the CinePanalo banner have also made their mark internationally, with Kent Michael Cadungog’s “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366” (2024) earning official selections at the Up-and-Coming International Film Festival Hannover in Germany; the Gandhara Independent Film Festival in Pakistan; and the Diwa Filipino Film Festival in Seattle.Other Puregold CinePanalo shorts have likewise been recognized abroad, such as Mark Joseph Sanchez’s “Our One and Only Bab(oy)” (2025), which screened at the 30° Ningbo Short Film Festival in China, and the Jagran Film Festival in India—together with Sean Verdejo’s Dela Cruz, Juan P. (2025) and Clyde Gamale’s &quot;Champ Green&quot; (2025).Jenievive Adame’s “Smokey Journey” (2024) was selected for the Student Film Competition of the Port Said Film Festival in Egypt, while Kenneth Flores’ “1… 2… Strike!!!” (2025) and Jose Andy Sales’ “G!” (2025) were both official selections at the Asia Pacific Youth Micro-Movie Festival.Together, these achievements highlight Puregold CinePanalo’s sustained commitment to nurturing Filipino filmmakers and amplifying beautifully made stories on the global stage.

Tara Illenberger's “Tigkiliwi” has earned a coveted slot in the Official Competitive Director's Week of the 46th Porto International Film Festival, also known as Fantasporto 2026.

Tara Illenberger's “Tigkiliwi” has earned a coveted slot in the Official Competitive Director's Week of the 46th Porto International Film Festival, also known as Fantasporto 2026.