The 4th Bais Film Festival of Short Films is officially gearing up to take center stage in December 2026. This after three successful editions that have anchored the local filmmaking tradition.
Led by a collaborative effort between the City Government of Bais under the leadership of Mayor Luigi Marcel T. Goñi and the Office of Culture and the Arts headed by Rolin Cadallo Obina, the festival serves as a platform for homegrown visual storytellers.
“The festival, now on its 4th year, is divided into two programs. First, all participants to the filmfest shall undergo a filmmaking workshop facilitated by The Academy member Arvin Belarmino and Ms. Kyla Romero. The second part is the film showing and appreciation and the awards ceremony which is held every end of December,” Obina shared.
Majority of the participants to the festival are students from different schools. However, out-of-school youth have actively participated in the most recent festival. With the support of the City Council, the Arts and Culture Council and the City Tourism Council, the festival aims to develop young filmmakers and support the country’s film industry.
As the city prepares for its fourth iteration, the festival builds upon a three-year foundation of cinematic storytelling. The first three editions established the event’s core mission of mapping out the unique cultural landscape of Negros Oriental, nurturing amateur directors, and transitioning student filmmakers into recognized regional artists.
Past iterations have consistently spotlighted narratives that explore local folklore, contemporary youth identities, and social realities. By honoring trailblazing winners from its inaugural years up to its third edition, the festival has institutionalized a competitive spirit that continues to elevate local cinema.
With the next generation of filmmakers entering the fray, the 4th Bais Film Festival promises to showcase a competitive and resonant selection of short cinema.
