Two Filipino short films, Agapito and Ali, are set to make waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking another proud moment for Philippine cinema on the global stage.
The Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC) announced the exciting news on Instagram, sharing that both films have been selected for the prestigious Official Short Film Competition. “Proud moment for Philippine cinema!” QCFC captioned their post, celebrating the inclusion of the two works in one of the world’s most acclaimed film festivals.
Agapito is directed by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, while Ali is helmed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev, with a screenplay written by Belarmino and Romero. Belarmino is no stranger to Cannes, having competed last year in the festival’s Critics’ Week section with his short film Radikals.
Belarmino took to Instagram to express his gratitude, dedicating Agapito to his brother. “This is a story where I became vulnerable, reflecting on how my family grounds me and keeps me from taking things for granted,” he shared. Meanwhile, Romero dedicated the film to her late father, recalling fond memories of growing up in a sports facility, a setting that inspired the story’s backdrop of a duckpin alley in Bulacan.
Although their accommodations have been sponsored, the filmmakers are now seeking financial support to cover additional travel expenses to Cannes. Theater actor Anton Nolasco posted an appeal for assistance, explaining that their team needs help to ensure they can personally represent the Philippines at the event.
Out of 4,781 entries, only 11 short films were selected for this year’s competition, with Agapito and Ali among the standout few. Of the chosen films, five are directed by women, further highlighting a diverse lineup.
Adding to the strong Philippine presence at Cannes, acclaimed director Lav Diaz’s latest film, Magellan, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, is also set for a premiere during the festival, which runs from May 13 to May 24 in France.
