Nelson Morales

(Clockwise from top left) Dustin Celestino, Iar Arondaing, Vahn Leinard Pascual, and Lot-lot Hermosura. Handout

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(Clockwise from top left) Dustin Celestino, Iar Arondaing, Vahn Leinard Pascual, and Lot-lot Hermosura. 

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17847177492980000 (4).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="(Clockwise from top left) Dustin Celestino, Iar Arondaing, Vahn Leinard Pascual, and Lot-lot Hermosura. Handout"/>(Clockwise from top left) Dustin Celestino, Iar Arondaing, Vahn Leinard Pascual, and Lot-lot Hermosura. Handout</div>MANILA — Alumni and faculty members of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will be represented in four films at this year&#x27;s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, including three full-length entries in competition.The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/7/8/here-are-the-films-of-cinemalaya-2026-1403">22nd edition of Cinemalaya</a>, themed &quot;Reel Reflections,&quot; will run from August 6 to 18 at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, with screenings also scheduled at Gateway Cineplex and selected Ayala Malls.Among the nine finalists in the full-length category is &quot;Status: Rejected,&quot; directed by Benilde Film alumnus Vahn Leinard Pascual. The film follows a 69-year-old widow who becomes involved in an online romance that challenges her relationships and sense of self.Benilde Film faculty member Dustin Celestino is behind &quot;A.ni.mál,&quot; a drama set in a provincial town where the daughter of a mayor uncovers a video allegedly showing the governor abusing his dog, triggering political and family tensions.Benilde Multimedia Arts alumnus Iar Arondaing co-wrote &quot;Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam (Only We Know)&quot; with director David Corpuz. The film centers on longtime partners Neil and Bong, whose lives are disrupted after Bong falls seriously ill and his estranged father returns.In the short film competition, Benilde Film faculty member Lot-lot Hermosura directs &quot;The River Flows in Different Places,&quot; which follows two Filipino-Palestinian mothers rebuilding their lives in the Philippines after fleeing the war in Gaza.This year&#x27;s Cinemalaya received 199 submissions for the full-length competition, from which nine finalists were selected. The short film category drew 278 entries, with 10 films advancing to the finals.Now on its 22nd edition, Cinemalaya is one of the country&#x27;s premier independent film festivals, showcasing works by emerging and established Filipino filmmakers.

Alumni and faculty members of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will be represented in four films at this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, including three full-length entries in competition.

Alumni and faculty members of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will be represented in four films at this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, including three full-length entries in competition.

Benilde alumni, faculty behind 4 films in Cinemalaya 2026

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Benilde alumni, faculty behind 4 films in Cinemalaya 2026

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Published July 22, 2026 07:02 PM PHT

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