Insider Spotlight
Running across multiple venues, this year’s festival features more than 80 titles from across the globe, exploring cinema’s power to mirror and reinvent itself.
Why it matters
Now one of Asia’s most anticipated film festivals, QCinema continues to elevate Philippine and Southeast Asian cinema by curating a global mix of acclaimed debuts, festival favorites, and restored classics.
The big picture
Opening the festival is “Couture" by Alice Winocour, starring Angelina Jolie. The meta-film follows an American filmmaker arriving in Paris for Fashion Week—fitting for a lineup filled with “films about film.”
At the core of the festival are four competition sections: Asian Next Wave, RainbowQC, New Horizons, and QCShorts International—each highlighting new voices and daring visions.
By the numbers
Competition highlights
The Asian Next Wave includes “A Useful Ghost” (Thailand), “Diamonds in the Sand” (Philippines), and “Open Endings” (Philippines), while RainbowQC features acclaimed LGBTQ+ titles like “Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingoes” (Chile) and “The Little Sister” (France).
What’s new
Two sections debut this year—Dokyu Days, a nonfiction showcase, and Focus On: Sandra Hüller, honoring the award-winning German actress.
Between the lines
The Screen International slate features “Hamnet" by Chloé Zhao and “Sirat" by Oliver Laxe, while “Rediscovery" resurrects cult favorites like “Almost Famous" and "Showgirls.”
What’s next
The festival closes with the Asian Next Wave Best Film winner—cementing QCinema’s place as a nexus where Philippine creativity meets global cinema. —Ramon C. Nocon | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
