Bacolod Film Festival development

The 3rd Bacolod Film Festival is scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, under the theme ‘Pag-angot: Celebrating Heritage, Shaping Our Future’. The event aims to highlight the traditions, communities, and cultural landscape of Bacolod.

To support local creators, nine filmmakers have been selected to receive production grants of 100,000 pesos each. These grants, distributed in two tranches, are paired with workshops and script mentoring. Selected short films, ranging from 15 to 20 minutes, are required to incorporate three to five heritage markers, such as local traditions, culinary highlights, or historical landmarks.

Festival Director Tanya P. Lopez emphasized the necessity of visually documenting these elements amidst a changing urban landscape. The festival will feature various local works, including the film ‘Tukturuok’ by Reginald Amador Zack Verzosa, which blends family drama with folklore and dark comedy. Public screenings are planned for SM Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Negros. Local government support for the creative sector includes City Ordinance 1061 and the G-Hive creative industry hub.