Ten homegrown stories will take center stage as the 3rd Bacolod Film Festival returns from November 27 to 29, 2026, bringing a fresh lineup of Negrense filmmakers and stories to audiences in Bacolod City.
Under the direction of Festival Director Tanya P. Lopez, the three-day festival will hold screenings at SM Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Cinematheque Centre Negros.
Among this year’s selected filmmakers is Reginald Amador Zack Verzosa, who returns to the festival with his latest film, “Tukturuok.”
A cum laude Communication graduate of the University of St. La Salle, Verzosa further developed his screenwriting craft through the 2022 Negros Summer Workshops and has since built a growing portfolio of film and television projects.
His previous film “Glub” received recognition at the 2024 Bacolod Film Festival, winning Best Makeup for Swoop Belesario Diaz, while Verzosa earned a Best Director nomination and Jigear Tonato received a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
“Glub” follows Finneaus, a young man dealing with the death of his mother, as he navigates grief, loneliness, and an unexpected encounter with someone who sees his worth.
Verzosa’s earlier works, “Añoranza” and “Ritmo,” were also named finalists in the Sine Negrense Open Category in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
His other credits include writing and directing “Instrumentum: Garden of Eden,” which won Best TV Drama at the 2022 USLS Communication Society Bilib Awards, and co-writing “Yours Truly,” which won Best Picture at the 2022 Inasal Awards.
With “Tukturuok,” Verzosa takes his storytelling in a darker and more distinctly local direction, combining family drama, Hiligaynon dialogue, local folklore, dark comedy, and culinary heritage.
The story explores how far a father is willing to go to save his child, weaving domestic struggles with supernatural elements in a narrative centered on sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring bonds of home.
Joining Verzosa in the festival lineup are nine other filmmakers and their respective films: Rolf Dubouzet Baynosa’s “Beware of Dog,” Nathan Bringuer’s “Tigayon,” Farlyn John Casidsid’s “Si Balong Gin Bulang,” Dranreb Cimatu’s “Buklod Balod Bakod Bacolod,” Renzo Grijaldo’s “Ka Aslum Sang Batwan,” Jaden Tenzing Mijares’ “Princaesar,” Mai Montelibano’s “Lumay,” Kurt Soberano’s “Duwa Duwa,” and Pamela Reinee Viedor’s “Ang Tagabantay.”
Together, the 10 films showcase the diversity of Negrense storytelling, bringing local voices, languages, traditions, and contemporary experiences to the big screen during the 3rd Bacolod Film Festival.
