BACOLOD City — The city government will officially launch the second Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) today, November 27, with free screenings of eight locally produced short films.
The films will be shown across participating cinemas, including SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Cinematheque Centre Negros. This year’s festival theme, “Panan-aw: Local Frames, Global Change,” highlights narratives rooted in Bacolodnon identity and lived experiences.
Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed full support for local filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of providing a platform for their stories to reach wider audiences.
The BFF is jointly organized by the city government and the Negros Cultural Foundation (NCF), with support from the congressional office of Bacolod City’s Rep Alfredo Abelardo Benitez. Institutional partners include the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and The Negros Museum.
Mae Llamas, head of the Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (D-LEDIP), expressed excitement for the official launch, noting that the opening day will feature free screenings, followed by a two-day public showing on November 28 to 29.
“I think we have leveled up the BFF because we are giving filmmakers the opportunity to be mainstreamed in cinemas,” Llamas said. “We’ve seen many film festivals in the province and the region, but none have truly been mainstreamed in cinemas. This time, we are not only mainstreaming them but also connecting them with film producers.”
The official lineup of short films features “Tonton,” directed by Charlene Mead Tupas; “Truth & Dare,” directed by Banjo Hinolan; “Tililing,” directed by Dranreb Cimatu; “Balay Alibangbang,” directed by Kyle Ramas; “Tuyaw,” directed by Roland Chavez; “Sa Tunga Entablado,” directed by Jiane Nicole Flores; “We Can Really Only Ever Be One,” directed by David Reasol; and” Bagong Bayan,” directed by Kir Kizziah Hulleza.
All films have been rated Parental Guidance (PG) by the MTRCB. Regular screenings at SM City Bacolod (Cinemas 1 and 4) and Ayala Malls Capitol Central (Cinemas 1 and 2) will feature four shows per day. Cinematheque Centre Negros will host two screenings daily, increasing to four on November 29.
Cinematheque will also serve as the venue for post-screening talkbacks with filmmakers on November 27, followed by the BFF Director’s Forum on the morning of November 28 and Panan-aw Conversations on film appreciation and the importance of regional film festivals in the afternoon.
Tickets for regular screenings are priced at P200 and will be available at ticket booths in SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Cinematheque lobbies. Exact ticket-selling dates will be announced soon.
The BFF was institutionalized under City Ordinance No. 1061, which established the festival and provided the guidelines for its celebration and funding./PN
