Award-winning writer and filmmaker Renei Dimla steps into the director’s chair for her first full-length feature, Republika ng Pipolipinas, which will premiere at Cinemalaya 2025. The festival runs from October 3 to 12, 2025, with screenings at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cineplex.
The film follows Cora Vitug, a farmer who takes a radical stand after the government threatens to evict her from her own land. In protest, Cora renounces her Filipino citizenship and declares her own micronation called “Republika ng Pipolipinas.” Her act of defiance sparks mixed reactions, earning admiration from some who rally to her cause while others question her motives and mental state.
When a new government project accelerates her displacement, Cora and her supporters uncover a web of corruption reaching beyond their small town. Racing against time and under threat, they fight to prove that a nation’s greatness lies not in its land or history but in the courage of its people.
Renei Dimla, who has written for film and television for over a decade, is a graduate of Jun Lana’s Screenwriting Mentorship, Bing Lao’s Found Story Workshop, and TBA Studios’ Writers’ Room. She is a Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee for her first full-length screenplay, Katay, and received the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video for her paint-on-glass animation Anomi.
The cast includes Geraldine Villamil, Alessandra de Rossi, Kakki Teodoro, Natalie Maligalig, JM Salvado, Bon Lentejas, Lian Silverio, Shun Mark Gomez, Mitzi Comia, Yian Gabriel, Brylle Parzuelo, Sigrid Polon, Sisa Bernardo, Antonio Vasquez, Xiao Chua, and Chad Kinis. Cinematography is by Pabelle Manikan.
Republika ng Pipolipinas promises to be a stirring story about land, identity, and the power of collective resistance, a timely reflection on what it truly means to belong.
Other 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, and Warla by Kevin Alambra.
Meanwhile, the short film competition features entries such as 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, Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat ha Langit by Marie Estela Paiso, Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman sang Lawod by Seth Andrew Blanca, Please Keep This Copy by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta, Radikals by Arvin Belarmino, The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa, and Water Sports by Whammy Alcazaren.
