QCinema 2026 Brings Big Stories and Fresh Perspectives to Quezon City

For movie lovers, a truly great film festival is more than a series of screenings. It is a chance to discover new voices, see familiar places differently, and spend a few hours in someone else’s world—and maybe discover a new favorite filmmaker, too. That sense of discovery returns as the 14th QCinema International Film Festival takes over select Metro Manila cinemas from November 13 to 22, 2026.

This year’s theme, “Genre’teurs,” brings genre storytelling together with the personal vision of auteur filmmakers. Expect a varied mix of dramas, animation, thrillers, documentaries, and restored classics, with stories from the Philippines and beyond.

Opening the festival is the world premiere of Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw, an animated Filipino feature directed by Mervin Malonzo and based on the comics by Julius Villanueva. Bianca Umali voices Ella, a 12-year-old mambabarang whose encounters with supernatural forces lead her to confront injustice in her community. Beneath the fantasy is a story about courage, compassion, and the decision to do what is right.

The festival closes with Look Back, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga. Following two young artists brought together by their love of drawing, the film explores friendship, creativity, and the connections that shape our lives.

There is plenty to discover between those two screenings. Asian Next Wave highlights distinctive voices in regional cinema, while New Horizons introduces first- and second-time feature directors. RainbowQC puts LGBTQIA+ stories in the spotlight, and QCShorts International gives shorter works their own stage.

For those keen to explore further, Screen International features acclaimed films from around the world. Rediscovery revisits cinema worth seeing again—or experiencing for the first time—while Before Midnight offers darker, genre-driven selections. Documentary fans can look to Dokyu Days for stories grounded in real lives.

The best part? A festival outing need not be complicated. Screenings are scheduled at Gateway Cineplex 18, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria, Ayala Malls Cinemas TriNoma, Fisher Box Office, and SM Cinema–SM City Fairview, with tickets priced at ₱200 per screening.

Whether you are planning a movie date, a weekend with friends, or a solo cinema escape, QCinema offers an inviting reason to explore Quezon City through film. Pick a title that sparks your curiosity, make a day of it, and let the stories surprise you.

For the lineup and festival updates, visit qcinema.ph or follow @qcinemaph.