Across genres ranging from heartfelt drama to biting satire, the longing for acceptance, and the weight of class struggles, these local shorts continue to prove that QCinema is a lighthouse for talent and razor-sharp reflections of the national condition.

Unlike the smash hit of a song ‘Die With A Smile,’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ is a complete washout. 

Her Locket is nothing short of an effective family drama. Its message is universal, reminding us that our loved ones are all we have at the end of the day. #SinagMaynila2024

 The Wedding Dance might not be the best Cinemalaya film this year, but its attempt to dissect patriarchy through the lens of marriage in the Kalinga community makes it worth watching.

Whether it be watching scary movies or going to attractions like Gabi ng Lagim, we love being spooked to death just as much as we love cheesy romcoms. The Thai film ‘My Boo’ is exceptional for the most part, tapping into our twisted fascination with the macabre.

Mean Girls is not just a mere copy or another adaptation to avoid; it takes everything from the original and amplifies it all into a louder and more “fetch” movie with catchy tunes to boot.

Like the previous movies, ‘Wonka’ plays out as a musical interspersed with magical scenes of chocolate and hope, a constant reminder that everyone with a drive to share their craft with the world gets a golden ticket in life sooner or later.

‘All of Us Strangers’ is a hymn for the lonesome, a saving grace that comes knocking at your door in the middle of the night. It is very personal, modern, and queer, tackling the long and winding road of grief but focusing more on its first stage—denial.

A story about trust and company, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish highlights chosen families, and although blood is thicker than water, the movie is a testament to the beauty of friendship that can stand the test of time.

Arnold is a Model Student shows rallying students and activists side by side to make everyone realize how oppression exists in all forms, a subtle jab at the current Thai administration that curtails its people’s basic right to free speech. The school is indeed a microcosm of the community, where the principal and the head of the country both boil down to a single, authoritarian evil.