POV XXII Submissions

High School Category

Deadline: March 21, 2026

We are launching a post-production lab for high school filmmakers. We are accepting entries from emerging high school filmmakers to support them in developing their films.

Submit Here Guidelines

Collegiate Category

Regular Deadline: March 30, 2026

We are accepting film submissions from undergraduate student filmmakers across the Philippines. The Collegiate Category provides a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their stories and perspectives to a wider audience.

Submit Here Guidelines

High School Category Guidelines

Eligibility
1. The festival is open to current Junior or Senior High School students from any school / institution in the Philippines within the application period.
2. Films of varying styles and forms are accepted: Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation, etc.
3. Film entries must have had its principal photography / shooting within the period of August 2025 to March 2026.
4. The project should be a short film (maximum of 20 minutes) and must be in the post-production phase.
5. External collaborators are allowed, provided that the majority of the team are currently enrolled in the same high school. There is no limit to the number of cast and crew members involved.
Submissions
1. The application must be submitted through a Google Form. Only one (1) member of the team, either the director or the producer, should complete the form on behalf of the group.
2. There will be a PHP 100 submission fee. Payment instructions will be provided in the application form.
3. Please compile the following requirements:
  - Logline (1-2 sentences description)
  - Synopsis (500 max words summarizing the film)
  - Director’s Statement (500 max words answering the following: What is the connection of this film to your personal narrative? Why should you direct it? What is the importance of this film?)
  - Rough Cut / Draft of the film (a work-in-progress cut)
  - Parental Consent Form (for participants under 18, provide separate forms for each member)
  - School ID/Proof of Enrollment of Members (compiled in one PDF)
  - Script/Outline (only if applicable/available)
4. UP Cinema will not be responsible for any legal complaints as a result of the filmmaker’s use of music and other copyrighted materials on the works-in-progress. The organization will also not be liable for untoward incidents that may occur during the production of the film.
Selection
1. A selection committee composed of members of UP Cinema will choose the participants.
2. There shall be five (5) selected films. However, the selection committee reserves the right to accept more than five films at their prerogative.
3. The decision of the selection committee is final.
Post-production Lab
1. Selected participants are expected to attend scheduled mentorship sessions and submit revised cuts based on feedback throughout the lab. Each project may have up to five (5) participants in the post-production lab, including the representative.
2. Editing mentors will be assigned to guide them throughout their post-production process. The organizers will create a group chat with the team and their mentors.
3. They will have the privilege to attend one-on-one consultations with the editing mentors. Participants may also attend additional workshops by invited filmmakers, as well as critique sessions with a pool of Cinemasters.
4. Filmmakers will be notified of other deadlines and additional requirements upon selection.
5. The entire post-production lab will be held from March to April 2026.
6. The selected films will be part of the official lineup and will premiere at POV XXII: Kalampag ng Kulay from May 4–9, 2026. All high school entries will be in competition.
Deadline
The deadline for submission of entries is on March 21, 2026 - 11:59 PM.

High School Category FAQs

Who can submit a film?

Current Junior High School or Senior High School students enrolled in any school in the Philippines may submit an entry.

Can a group submit a film?

Yes. Films may be submitted by individual filmmakers or teams. However, only one representative (director or producer) should fill out the submission form on behalf of the group.

Can collaborators from outside our school join the project?

Yes. External collaborators are allowed, but the majority of the team must be currently enrolled in the same high school.

What types of films are accepted?

The festival accepts films in various styles and formats, including:

Narrative
Documentary
Experimental
Animation
Hybrid or mixed formats

Does the film need to be finished before submission?

No. Since this program is a post-production lab, you only need to submit a rough cut or work-in-progress version of your film. This means that you may submit your film without color grading, sound design, or scoring.

What is the maximum length of the film?

Films must be 20 minutes or less, including credits.

When should the film have been shot?

Principal photography must have taken place between August 2025 and March 2026.

Is there a submission fee?

Yes. There is a PHP 100 submission fee. Payment instructions will be included in the Google Form submission portal.

What documents are required for submission?

Applicants must submit the following:

Logline
Synopsis (maximum 500 words)
Director’s Statement (maximum 500 words)
Rough Cut / Draft of the Film
Parental Consent Forms (if participants are under 18)
School ID or Proof of Enrollment of all members (compiled into one PDF)
Script or Outline (if available)

Can we submit a film that has already been screened elsewhere?

Yes, as long as the film meets the eligibility requirements, particularly the production period and current post-production status.

How many films will be selected?

A minimum of five (5) films will be selected for the post-production lab. The selection committee may choose more than five films at their discretion.

What happens after a film is selected?

Selected filmmakers will participate in the Post-Production Lab, which includes:

One-on-one editing mentorship sessions
Feedback and critique sessions
Possible workshops with invited filmmakers
Opportunities to revise and improve their film before the festival premiere

Will equipment or editing facilities be provided during the lab?

The post-production lab will focus on mentorship, consultation, and feedback. Participants are expected to work on their own editing setups, but mentors will guide them throughout the process.

When will the post-production lab take place?

The lab will run throughout April 2026.

Will the selected films be screened in the festival?

Yes. All selected films will premiere as part of the official lineup of Piling Obrang Vidyo XXII: Kalampag ng Kulay, which will take place May 4–9, 2026.

Will the films be part of the competition?

Yes. All high school films will be screened in competition.

When is the submission deadline?

The deadline for submission is: March 21, 2026 — 11:59 PM.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Who should we contact for questions?

For inquiries, you may email: sec.pilingobrangvidyo@gmail.com

Or send a message to our Facebook or Instagram pages.

Collegiate Category Guidelines

Eligibility
1. The festival is open to undergraduate students from any school or institution in the Philippines during the application period.
2. Filmmakers must be enrolled students during the creation of the film.
3. Filmmakers who have graduated can still submit, given that their work was completed within the eligibility period.
4. All submissions must be original short films of any genre, style, plot, theme, and the like.
Film Entry
1. Films of varying styles and forms are accepted: Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation, etc.
2. Film entries must have been completed on or after August 2025.
3. Film entries shall not exceed a total running time of twenty (20) minutes, inclusive of credit titles.
4. All film entries must include English subtitles.
5. Film entries that have been exhibited in other competitions can still be submitted as long as they have not been commercially exhibited in any theater, on television, or streaming platform.
6. Film entries with cast or crew members who are resident or nonresident members of UP Cinema will immediately be disqualified.
Requirements
1. The application must be submitted through a Google Form. Only one (1) member of the team, either the director or the producer, should complete the form on behalf of the group.
2. A proof of enrollment (copy of registration/enrollment form, transcript of records, school ID, etc.) of the representative (director or producer).
3. A consent form signed by the guardians (for minors). Simply create a copy of the document below and fill out the details.
  Consent Form Link: [POV XXII] Consent Form
4. A copy of the following:
  - Screener of the film (Youtube / Vimeo / Google Drive Link, at least 1080 HD resolution)
  - Teaser or trailer of film (.MP4 or .MOV format, maximum of 45 seconds, maximum of 500 MB)
  - Cast and crew list (.pdf format)
  - Film poster [A3 (11.7 in x 16.5 in, .jpeg or .png format)]
  - 3-5 film stills (.jpeg or .png format)
  - 3-5 behind-the-scenes photos (.jpeg or .png format)
A standard registration fee of three hundred pesos (Php 300) for collegiate students shall be paid per film entry submission. An extended deadline may be announced at a later date. During the extended registration, four hundred pesos (Php 400) shall be paid.

*All submitted copies and information for official entries will be the property of UP Cinema. It is the participant's responsibility to keep master copies of their own films.

*Please make sure that all files are downloadable. Submissions with inaccessible files shall be disqualified.
Submission
1. Film entries will only be accepted through online submission.
2. Fill out the google form provided to complete the registration form and upload the required submission materials. All personal information given will be kept confidential.
3. The filmmakers can submit a maximum of three (3) film entries separately, given that they are separate bodies of work. However, only one film from the filmmaker will be considered as a finalist.
4. POV XXII reserves the right to use snippets and/or images of the accepted entries for print, broadcast, and online promotions of the festival.
5. UP Cinema reserves the right to save and archive all copies of the submitted entries once the participants have completed the registration form.
6. POV XXII and UP Cinema will not be responsible for any legal complaints as a result of the filmmakers’ use of music and other copyrighted materials in the film. The organization will also not be liable for untoward incidents that may occur during the production of the film.
7. Submission of entries will be open from March 09, 2026, and will close on March 28, 2026 (11:59 PM).
Selection of Film Entries
1. Festival programmers, composed of members of UP Cinema, will select the finalists for the competition. All finalist films will be screened online and onsite at UPFI FOR FREE.
2. Awarding and screening will be held at the UPFI Studio and Cine Adarna during the festival in May 2026.
3. The festival programmers reserve the right to award finalist status to at least five (5) entries for EACH of the four (4) categories from the collegiate level.
4. For multiple submitted entries by the same filmmakers, only one entry may qualify to be a finalist.
5. The announcement of the finalists will be posted on the official Facebook page of POV in April 2026. The filmmakers will be individually notified through email.
6. The filmmakers will still hold the rights over their film upon being selected as a finalist, but shall comply with the requisites set by the programmers for the festival.
7. Filmmakers whose works will be chosen and exhibited are considered official delegates. As such, the cast and crew of each work are expected to attend and participate in the Festival.
8. Selected films may also be programmed in select public schools. In this case, the Festival will contact the filmmaker involved.
Categories and Genres
Films may fall under any of the following genres or forms:
- Narrative
- Documentary
- Experimental
- Animation
Awards and Prizes
1. A board of judges will be invited who will determine the winners of the competition. Their decision is final and irrevocable.
2. The following major awards will be given:
  - Piling Obrang Vidyo Award (Best Picture)
  - Tayo Ang Pelikula Award (Jury Prize)
  - Cinemaster’s Choice Award
3. The following special awards may also be given:
  - Best Direction
  - Best Screenplay
  - Best Lead Performance
  - Best Supporting Performance
  - Best Production Design
  - Best Costume and Hair Design
  - Best Cinematography
  - Best Sound Design
  - Best Editing
  - Best Scoring
  - Best Original Song
  - Best Poster
  - Viewer’s Choice
4. The winners of major awards will receive a cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate.
5. The winners of special awards will receive a certificate.
6. The announcement of winners will be held at the awarding ceremony of the festival in May 2026.
Terms and Conditions
By participating in Piling Obrang Vidyo XXII, you confirm your agreement to our Terms and Conditions. Please ensure to review and comply with all specifications, mechanics, and guidelines stated.

Collegiate Category FAQs

Who can submit to the Collegiate Category?

The Collegiate Category is open to undergraduate students currently enrolled in any college or university in the Philippines during the film’s production. Graduates may still submit as long as the film was completed while they were still enrolled and within the eligibility period.

Can students from different schools collaborate on one film?

Yes. Collaborative projects between students from different schools are allowed as long as the director or producer submitting the film can provide proof of enrollment and the film was created during the eligibility period.

Can I submit more than one film?

Yes. A filmmaker may submit up to three (3) film entries, provided that each film is a separate work. However, only one film per filmmaker may be selected as a finalist.

What types of films are accepted?

The festival accepts short films of any genre or style, including but not limited to:

Narrative
Documentary
Experimental
Animation

Hybrid or mixed forms are also welcome.

What is the maximum running time for entries?

Films must not exceed 20 minutes, including opening and closing credits.

Do films need to have English subtitles?

Yes. All film entries must include English subtitles, regardless of the language spoken in the film.

Can films that have already been screened elsewhere be submitted?

Yes. Films that have been screened in other competitions, festivals, or school events may still be submitted, provided that they have not been commercially exhibited in theaters, on television, or on streaming platforms.

Can thesis films be submitted?

Yes. Undergraduate thesis films are eligible as long as they were completed within the eligibility period (August 2025 – March 2026) and meet the runtime requirement.

Is there a submission fee?

Yes. The standard submission fee is Php 300 per film entry.

If an extended deadline is announced, the submission fee will be Php 400 per entry.

When is the submission deadline?

Submission of entries will be open from March 09, 2026 until March 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

When will the finalists be announced?

Finalists will be announced in April 2026 on the official Piling Obrang Vidyo Facebook page. Filmmakers will also receive an email notification.

Where will the films be screened?

Finalist films will be screened for free both Online and Onsite at the UPFI Studio and Cine Adarna during the festival in May 2026.

Are filmmakers required to attend the festival?

Filmmakers whose works are selected as finalists become official festival delegates. They are encouraged to attend screenings, discussions, and the awarding ceremony during the festival.

Who selects the finalists and winners?

Finalists are selected by the selection committee from UP Cinema. Winners will be determined by an invited board of judges, whose decisions are final and irrevocable.

Who can I contact for concerns about my submission?

For questions or concerns regarding submissions, you may contact: pilingobrangvidyo@gmail.com