Filmmaker Arvin Belarmino is set to return to Cinemalaya 2025 with his latest short film, Radikals, screening under the Short Film Category from October 3 to 12, 2025. Audiences can catch the film at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cineplex.
The 20-minute absurd drama follows a young rookie dancer in a bizarre “Bakte” troupe whose disastrous performance earns the wrath of a persistent heckler. What starts as public humiliation soon escalates into a surreal series of events, eventually exposing the troupe’s unsettling method of dealing with its weakest link.
Belarmino, one of the most celebrated voices in Philippine independent cinema, has been recognized both locally and internationally. An alumnus of Talents Tokyo, the Locarno Filmmakers Academy, and the Cinéfondation Résidence of the Festival de Cannes, he has screened multiple works at international film festivals, including Nakaw (Best Short Film, 40th Gawad Urian), Tarang (Best Short Film, Interfilm Berlin 2020), and Hinakdal (Best Screenplay, NETPAC Award, Audience Choice Award, Cinemalaya 2023). In 2024, Radikals competed at Critics’ Week in Cannes, while his film Silig was part of Directors’ Fortnight for the Directors’ Factory.
The cast features Elora Españo, Timothy Castillo, and Ross Pesigan, with a creative team led by Belarmino as director and co-writer, alongside Kyla Danelle Romero (screenplay), Geia De Vera (cinematography), Adrian Española (production design), and Renard Torres (editing). The original music score is provided by Horoscope Band and Sampaguita, with sound design by Alex Tomboc and Lamberto Casas Jr.
With its darkly comic take on performance, humiliation, and conformity, Radikals promises to be one of the most talked-about entries at this year’s Cinemalaya.
Other Cinemalaya 2025 short film entries are Ascension from the Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre, Figat by Handiong Kapuno, Hasang by Daniel de la Cruz, I’m Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idioma, Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman sang Lawod by Seth Andrew Blanca, Please Keep This Copy by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta, Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit by Maria Estela Paiso, The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa, and Water Sports by Whammy Alcazaren.
Meanwhile, full length entries include Bloom Where You Are Planted by Noni Abao, Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan by Dustin Celestino, Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva, Paglilitis by Cheska Marfori and Raymund Barcelon, Open Endings by Nigel Santos and Keavy Vicente, Padamlágan by Jenn Romano, Raging by Ryan Machado, Republika ng Pipolipinas by Renei Dimla, and Warla by Kevin Alambra.
