Montaňosa Film Festival 2026 Media Launch Highlights Cinema as Voice for Social Justice and Hope
In photo (from l-r): Raymond Sakwat, lead organizer of the Montañosa Film Festival 2026; Marc Frederik Galvez and Paolo Villaluna of the Film Academy of the Philippines; Marie Venus Tan, co-chair of the Creative Baguio City Council; Benjamin Magalong, mayor of Baguio City; Jovita Ganongan, regional director of the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region; Ed Lejano of the QCinema International Film Festival; and Carlito Cimacio Jr. of the Baguio Folk Music Festival respond to questions from members of the media during the open forum of the Montañosa Film Festival 2026 media launch on March 14, 2026 at the SM Sky Terrace, SM City Baguio. Photo by Mario Oclaman // FNS
BAGUIO CITY — The Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) marked its sixth year with the launch of its 2026 edition, highlighting cinema as a powerful platform for storytelling, social awareness, and cultural dialogue.
Carrying the theme “Vision & Voices Unbound: Stories of Humanity, Social Justice, and Hope,” this year’s festival calls on filmmakers to present bold narratives that confront social realities while highlighting stories of resilience, healing, and transformation. Organizers said the theme reflects the festival’s continuing commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and fostering meaningful conversations on issues such as identity, equity, indigenous rights, and environmental justice.
Festival leaders emphasized that cinema is more than entertainment—it is a medium for advocacy and cultural empowerment capable of exposing injustice while inspiring empathy, reflection, and collective action.
From Film Tourism to Cultural Movement
Launched in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was initially envisioned as an initiative to help revive the tourism economy of Baguio City through film tourism. Over the years, however, it has evolved into a dynamic cultural movement that champions independent filmmaking, creative collaboration, and critical engagement with pressing social issues.
The festival also reinforces the city’s standing in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art by expanding its cultural influence through cinema while nurturing local and regional creative talent.
Strategic Partnerships and Film Industry Collaboration
A highlight of this year’s festival is its collaboration with the QCinema International Film Festival of Quezon City, alongside the Film Academy of the Philippines, which will host the Luzon Guild Summit bringing together filmmakers and industry professionals for a symposium aimed at strengthening and sustaining the regional film sector.
Organizers said these partnerships underscore a shared commitment to building sustainable film industries while promoting cultural exchange among filmmakers across the country.
Celebrating Regional Cinema
The 2026 edition will feature a curated selection of independent narrative, mobile, and documentary films in competition, highlighting compelling stories that reflect both the imagination and the realities of contemporary society.
Organizers added that the festival continues to position itself as a key hub for regional cinema, bringing together filmmakers and audiences from across the Philippine archipelago to celebrate the transformative power of storytelling through film.
Expressing support for the festival, Jason Peña, Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Baguio, emphasized the importance of providing platforms that amplify local voices and culture.
“The Montañosa Film Festival is more than an artistic showcase—it is a platform where storytelling, culture, and community come together through the power of film. Baguio has always been a city of stories, and this festival allows those narratives to reach audiences not only in the Cordilleras but across the country and beyond,” Peña said.
He added that SM City Baguio remains committed to supporting initiatives that uplift local creatives and strengthen the region’s cultural identity, while recognizing the important role of filmmakers and media partners in bringing these stories to a wider audience.
As the festival continues to grow, organizers expressed optimism that this year’s edition will further inspire filmmakers and audiences alike to use cinema as a powerful tool for dialogue, reflection, and social change. With Baguio City as its vibrant backdrop, the Montañosa Film Festival once again affirms the enduring power of film to bring communities together, amplify unheard voices, and celebrate the stories that define the Cordillera spirit. #
