CineFilipino returns on May 9 to 15 for its third edition to champion fresh cinematic voices from up-and-coming and established filmmakers in the country.

This film festival, which is spearheaded by Unitel Productions, Inc. in partnership with Cignal TV, aims to support and develop new audience-friendly works of artistic merit that “help define the human experience through a Filipino perspective.” According to their website, there are no thematic requirements for every run. However, the projects should be “narratives that delve into the Filipino identity and culture.”

CineFilipino holds a contest for feature-length movies, short feature films, and super shorts, which will be shown at Greenbelt 1, Gateway, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, and SM Southmall. Watch the trailers of the eight feature-length finalists here:

The Eternity Between Seconds

Director: Alec Figuracion

Starring Yeng Constantino and TJ Trinidad, this is a story about two strangers (a Kopino [Korean-Filipino] meeting her father for the first time and a depressive motivational speaker and self-help author) who find comfort in each other during a layover en route to South Korea.

Hitboy

Director: Bor Ocampo

As a part-time hitman (or hitboy), 15-year-old Alex (Adrian Cabido) kills people to survive.

Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus

Director: Dwein Baltazar

Aileen is a college student in Manila who becomes the object of obsession of four men (Soliman Cruz, Nicco Manalo, Anthony Falcon, Dylan Ray Talon) from different walks of life in the Avenida-Quiapo area.

This film, which took the production team seven years to finish, also introduces Iana Bernardez, Angel Aquino’s eldest daughter as she plays Aileen.

Delia & Sammy

Director: Therese Cayaba

Upon learning about her terminal illness, ill-tempered old actress Delia (Rosemarie Gil) needs to find a family to leave her equally difficult husband (Jaime Fabregas) with. Circumstances are forcing the couple back into the lives of people they’ve hurt and antagonized.

Excuse Me Po

Director: Ronald Batallones

The story follows 65-year-old Hilda (Elizabeth Oropesa), who used to be an extra in the movies during the ’80s, begging inside and outside the mall for a living. Without her knowledge, a filmmaker observes the con artist’s modus operandi.

Mata Tapang

Director: Rod Marmol

After losing an eye in battle, an absolutist soldier (Edgar Allan Guzman) opens a new “eye” that makes him see his fallen brother and accomplish their life missions.

Mga Mister ni Rosario

Director: Alpha Habon

Rosario (Kate Alejandrino) is a perfect stage wife to a method actor (Joross Gamboa). She gets into the different characters to match her husband’s various roles in movies. It was fun until he gets the role of a lifetime and threatens to kill her character.