PELIKOLEKTIBO

Inspired by Alexis Tioseco’s dying wish for films to be taught in high schools, UP Cinema established Pelikolektibo. We’re honored to host aspiring and promising high school film critics that will be part of this growing march towards accessible and local film scholarship.

Pelikolektibo is an initiative of the organization’s members who wish to bring filmmaking and film scholarship to younger artists; we aim to empower the collective and make way for the alternative. Pelikolektibo is for budding high school film critics of any medium (podcast, video essay, written, etc.) where they get to undergo a series of workshops, consultations, and critique sessions. As part of their workshop, they will be selecting a film(s) from the official POV entries to be awarded as the Critics Choice Award.

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Pelikolektibo Guidelines

Eligibility
1. The critics workshop is open to current Grades 9-12 students from any high school nationwide within the application period.
2. Aspiring critics of different media are accepted (eg. podcast, video essay, written, etc.)
3. The applicant must apply individually.
Submissions
1. Prepare the following requirements:
  - Letter of Intent
  - Portfolio of Sample Works (eg. written, podcast, video, etc.)
2. Alongside the Letter of Intent and Portfolio of Sample Works, applicants must answer a question in the form (250 words max).
3. Applicants must apply through tinyurl.com/Pelikolektibo. There will be no entry fee.
4. UP Cinema will not be responsible for any legal complaints as a result of the filmmaker’s use of music and other copyrighted works on the materials.
Selection
1. A selection committee composed of members of UP Cinema will choose the participants.
2. Ten (10) individuals will be chosen to participate in the workshops. However, the selection committee reserves the right to accept more or less than the allotted slots.
3. The decision of the selection committee is final.
Awards & Prizes
1. Chosen individuals will undergo intensive sessions on film writing and criticism. They will receive suggestions, insights, and guidance from the pool of mentors.
2. The sessions will be held from May 6 to 8, 2026.
3. Participants will choose the recipient of the Critics Choice Award for Piling Obrang Vidyo.
4. Certificates will be issued individually to the participant. This will be given upon completion of the program.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is on April 10, 2026.