The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. announced that the online screenings of the 2022 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will not push through. The decision came upon consultation with the filmmakers who have been preparing and looking forward to competing in various international film festivals. Cinemalaya was to have an online run from Oct. 17 to Oct. 31 via the CCP Vimeo account.

The 18th edition of the country’s largest film festival returned with on-site screenings of 11 full-length films and 12 short features in competition in August at various CCP venues. The competing films were also shown in select partner cinemas nationwide. After that, Cinemalaya went to the regions, with screenings in selected communities.

According to the Cinemalaya organizing committee, filmmakers will lose their chance to compete in international festivals when films are shown online outside of the Cinemalaya festival proper.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full feature independent films and short films. Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics and art films.