Cine Nationale Launches Ating Kwento, Ating Kultura To Reclaim Pride in Filipino Cinema

PRESS RELEASE

On July 20, 2026, the yearly flagship student film festival of National University Fairview, Cine Nationale started strong in its third season with the theme “Sa Paglikaw sa Liwanag”. Six production teams are official contenders in the now legal brand and multipartnered film festival, who carry the broader goal of putting Filipino films to the forefront of cinema, with the tagline “Ating Kwento, Ating Kultura”. But that’s not all. This year’s theme, “Sa Paglikaw sa Liwanag”, also lives up to a diverse set of interpretations.

Originally inspired by fireflies, Festival Director, Mr. Nathan Perez, explains the heart of the concept in the launch. “Kapag nakakita kayo ng alitaptap, it’s so fascinating to see their light, at kung paano yung pagsabog ng liwanag nila ay nag-iiwan ng maliliit na liwanag sa madidilim na espasyo sa paligid natin,” he says.

The launch also set up a talkback session between Cine Nationale 2024-2025 directors, scriptwriters, and leads to offer an exchange of insight, guidance, and support for the production teams. These were students who, before, had the same questions as them. Now they’re the ones others look to for answers. It’s a full-circle moment, showing the character-building nature of the festival in teaching firsthand early on the realities of production costs, processes, and the determination it takes to bring a story to life.

Another set of amazing productions was introduced during this season’s launch, namely, Ad Meliora Films, Andromeda Films, The Caterpillar Productions, Dandelion Pictures, Salaysinag Films, and Kaleido Pictures.

Six new films contending with their own interpretation of this season’s theme, a much-awaited event this academic year. Perez also leaves a central piece of advice on true recognition. He says before the audience, in the way you hope someone to remember, “It’s easy to get the recognition, but it's hard na mag-iwan, mag-leave ng mark sa mga tao. Ang sabi ko nga, madaling tumagos, pero mahirap tumatak.”

Cine Nationale was once a passing idea. A what-if. A distant possibility. But standing before a batch of student filmmakers was the person who proved that the ideas we once imagined can be the stories we live to tell.

Media Contact:

CN26 Core Team / Media Relations

National University – Fairview

Quezon City, Philippines