Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo

Based on a true story, Cuchera is about Filipino drug mules, drug couriers and their recruiters. It follows the story of Isabel, a veteran drug mule, in her first attempt at running her own drug transshipment operation between Manila and China. Isabel’s character is based on the story of an actual Filipina drug mule who was caught with eight capsules of heroin lodged in her sex organ, 48 in the rectum and 11 in her abdomen after an x-ray was conducted by Chinese authorities. Cuchera presents an accurate depiction of how some Filipinos end up becoming entrenched in the world of illegal drugs. Currently, the Philippines leads all Southeast Asian countries in the number of nationals arrested for drug smuggling charges in China. As of 2009, there are currently 95 Filipinos languishing in various jails in Chinese territories---four of whom are on death row. Violators include minors who enter China with fake passports.

Norma, a typical teenager who is always online, created a joint social media account for her and her boyfriend to mark their third monthsary. She gets a rare illness called electromagnetic hypersensitivity, which means she can't be around cellphones, tablets, laptops, and Wi-Fi. To help her cope with her syndrome, Norma relocates to a remote province with no signal, forcing her to have a long-distance relationship with Leo.

Whenever the schoolchildren sing the national anthem eight-year-old Toto is asked to keep quiet. He has a cleft lip and his garbled voice always makes everyone laugh. But this boy from the slums is a battler and not so easily daunted. His mate is a little boy who is hard of hearing; when these two are on the prowl together even the bruiser next door doesn’t bother them. Toto’s mother can’t really look after her son much. She’s got too much on her plate trying to manage her men. She dreams of going to Japan to work as a geisha. But if push comes to shove Toto can always depend on his headstrong yet warm-hearted mother. She even supports his somewhat ludicrous plan to take part in a public speaking contest.

Spanning from 1971 to 1987, in rural areas under the Marcos regime, a poor farming family struggle to overcome challenges brought on by corruption and greed for power.

Andrés Bonifacio is celebrated as the father of the Philippines Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. This eight-hour epic examines this myth, undertaking an expedition into history through various interwoven narrative threads, held together by an exploration of the individual’s role in history.

A gay beautician is determined to clear his name after learning he's included in a drug watchlist.

Structured and less beholden to its narrative, a 19th-century woman visits present-day Philippines and observes three interwoven stories: those of a prostitute, a group of criminals, and a musician.

Gabon, taken from an old Maranao folk lullaby which means “cloud,” tells the story of how far a young Maranao girl takes to heart the promise to her parents that she will finish a school exam. Shot in one day in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, just before the Ramadan, Gabon features an ensemble cast of grades 2-4 students from the MSU Integrated Laboratory School and the alumni of Sining Kambayoka

Two broke best friends unexpectedly find themselves in the center of attention after pretending to be lovers at their school reunion. However, an old flame threatens to tear them apart.

A mother mourns the loss of her only son alone.

A young soldier comes home after a siege and faces a different war.

Employees and customers are trapped in a supermarket while, outside, a typhoon ravages the country. It's time for confidences and revelations. Zombies, they say, in a society that is not easy for any of them. In a limited space, they try to discover their stories. And that could be their last day.

A woman about to jump off a building gets caught in an unending time loop

Two people with Down syndrome navigate love, acceptance, and self-discovery in a world that often sees their condition before seeing them.

Two people with Down syndrome navigate love, acceptance, and self-discovery in a world that often sees their condition before seeing them.

The story of Raffy and Gela who find themselves taking off for Palawan to escape the not so great realities of their current lives and catch up on their respective me-time. But as fate would have it, they find themselves meeting and enjoying each other's company.

The story of Raffy and Gela who find themselves taking off for Palawan to escape the not so great realities of their current lives and catch up on their respective me-time. But as fate would have it, they find themselves meeting and enjoying each other's company.

Jojo, a Filipino artist in Paris who has had many lovers, but constantly finds himself desperate to fill the chasm in his life occupied by the mysterious muse of his paintings. For years, his heart is held captive by a woman with no name and no history. Like a compass, Jojo looks for her in every girl he meets, hoping she will be “the one.” One day, a woman named Marie, walks up to Jojo and claims to be the subject of his paintings.

Jojo, a Filipino artist in Paris who has had many lovers, but constantly finds himself desperate to fill the chasm in his life occupied by the mysterious muse of his paintings. For years, his heart is held captive by a woman with no name and no history. Like a compass, Jojo looks for her in every girl he meets, hoping she will be “the one.” One day, a woman named Marie, walks up to Jojo and claims to be the subject of his paintings.

Follows the journey of a college senior and his strained relationship with his deaf mother.

Follows the journey of a college senior and his strained relationship with his deaf mother.

When Anne, a guarded wellness-resort owner, meets an otherworldly woman named Chicks, her carefully controlled life begins to unravel in the most healing way.

When Anne, a guarded wellness-resort owner, meets an otherworldly woman named Chicks, her carefully controlled life begins to unravel in the most healing way.

A young man yearning to escape rural life clings to his best friend—whom he loves despite his reckless ways—until a family tragedy changes everything.

A young man yearning to escape rural life clings to his best friend—whom he loves despite his reckless ways—until a family tragedy changes everything.

A young man yearning to escape rural life clings to his best friend—whom he loves despite his reckless ways—until a family tragedy changes everything.

It is in the culture of the Filipinos that when a person dies, you can whisper and send your wishes to the dead. The film is about a family who happens to take care of their ailing mother / grandmother. They see this as a burden in their lives and they wait for her death so they could whisper their wishes.

It is in the culture of the Filipinos that when a person dies, you can whisper and send your wishes to the dead. The film is about a family who happens to take care of their ailing mother / grandmother. They see this as a burden in their lives and they wait for her death so they could whisper their wishes.

It is in the culture of the Filipinos that when a person dies, you can whisper and send your wishes to the dead. The film is about a family who happens to take care of their ailing mother / grandmother. They see this as a burden in their lives and they wait for her death so they could whisper their wishes.

Tells the story of a Thai bachelor named Parin who travels to Hong Kong in search of his missing mother. He encounters a Filipino hotel employee named Iris who helps him navigate love, heartbreak, and healing in the foreign city amid their differences in culture and identity.

Tells the story of a Thai bachelor named Parin who travels to Hong Kong in search of his missing mother. He encounters a Filipino hotel employee named Iris who helps him navigate love, heartbreak, and healing in the foreign city amid their differences in culture and identity.

A bruised and beaten wife named Mara seeks the help of Georgian police against her husband Joachim. In this He-she said film, truths, lies and the dark past will be uncovered.

Lea is a tour guide in Japan who suffered from temporary blindness and if not cured in a few weeks could be permanent. Tonyo who lives right across from Lea is persistent and determined to be her friend. They then become closer and Lea has seen the true character of Tonyo.

Lea is a tour guide in Japan who suffered from temporary blindness and if not cured in a few weeks could be permanent. Tonyo who lives right across from Lea is persistent and determined to be her friend. They then become closer and Lea has seen the true character of Tonyo.

Seven short films from four continents that tackle issues surrounding sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender.

Against the coastal backdrop of Oslob, Cebu, a young woman drifts from place to place, carrying an unresolved anger from the loss of her father at a young age, until her path crosses with a lonely ex-criminal, also haunted by shadows from the past.

Against the coastal backdrop of Oslob, Cebu, a young woman drifts from place to place, carrying an unresolved anger from the loss of her father at a young age, until her path crosses with a lonely ex-criminal, also haunted by shadows from the past.