Sorbetes (Ice Cream), directed by Jennissie Gilbuena, is among the finalists in the Cinemalaya 2026 Short Film Category. The film tells the story of two brothers coping with the aftermath of a traumatic event that shakes their coastal barangay, with the younger sibling finding unexpected comfort in eating sorbetes while his older brother struggles to process his emotions.
Gilbuena is a Metro Manila-based filmmaker, editor, and storyteller whose work focuses on amplifying overlooked, silenced, and marginalized voices. He won Second Best Short Film at the 2024 MMFF x FDCP Student Short Film Competition for A Delivery Driver, while Sorbetes was also selected for the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Films for Peace Festival. He is also one of the writers of No Mad Is an Island, an official entry to the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
The film stars Angelo Jhayriel Ancheta and John Benedict Sarte.
The finalists in the Cinemalaya 2026 Short Film Category are Elenita Elena Elaine, Honey, My Love, So Sweet, Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!, kung paano kakalas., Para-Paraan, Runo!, Silkscreen, Sorbetes, The Keeper, and The River Flows in Different Places.
Meanwhile, the Cinemalaya 2026 Full-Length Category finalists are A.ni.mál, 2 Valid IDs, Ganggang, Mag-iina, Hand of God, Kaka sa Yawan, Status: Rejected, Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam, and Tirik.
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026 runs from August 6 to 18, with screenings at Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, selected Ayala Malls, and Gateway Cineplex.
