Tara Ellenberger's tigkilivi (Longsided), a PureGold Cinepañol creation, has achieved another milestone for Filipino filmmaking with a prized spot in the 46th Official Competitive Director's Week.th Porto International Film Festival, known worldwide as Fantasporto 2026.
A hair-raising but heart-touching story, tigkilivi It follows young siblings Lala and Marlin, who were orphaned and left to travel the world alone, as they find unexpected shelter with an elderly woman who is rumored to be a womanizer. Aswang, A shape-shifting creature in Philippine folklore. The film, starring Ruby Ruiz, Gaby Padilla, Julian Paul Larodere and Sunshine Teodoro, has charmed local audiences and is now set to take over the global stage.
The film previously won the Jury Prize at the 2025 PureGold Cinepanelo Film Festival, the success of which made it the second Cinepanelo-backed feature to reach Porto. pushcart stories.
Fantasporto, taking place from February 27 to March 8, 2026, is an international film festival celebrated for its high-quality, imaginative cinema, particularly in the realms of fantasy, science fiction and horror.
Providing a platform for films that push boundaries and explore new ways of storytelling, the festival attracts over 110,000 visitors annually and has been critically acclaimed. Diversity As one of the top 25 film festivals in the world.
tigkilivi Director Tara Ellenberger is very happy with this achievement and hopes that the film will be appreciated by foreign audiences. “I'm excited to find out if people will laugh or cry or react to it the same way as the Filipino audience. Of course, I'm thrilled at the prospect of going to Portugal for the first time with my PureGold Cinepañol family,” she shares.
Ivy Hayagan-Pidad, senior marketing manager at PureGold, expressed her excitement over the selection, saying, “tigkiliviFantasporto's acceptance proves once again that Filipino stories resonate globally. Our goal is to pave the way for our culture's stories To get the recognition they deserve. We couldn't be more proud to see another Cinepanelo film representing Filipino cinema with such distinction.
Official Competitive Director's Week, where tigkilivi will compete, dedicated to feature films, including Fantasporto's Asian filmmakers-eligible sections including the official Fantastic Cinema section for short films (under 15 minutes) and the Oriental Express section for features produced by Asian filmmakers.
Eligibility for Fantasporto requires that films be produced in 2025, be presented as a Portuguese premiere, and have English subtitles for non-English dialogue.
PureGold Cinepanelo, launching in 2024 to highlight stories of hope and triumph mga kwentong panelo Filipinos continues to nurture emerging filmmakers and provide a platform for films that celebrate Filipino creativity.
Following the Jury Prize at the 2025 Puregold Cinepañol Film Festival, tigkilivi Now it has set out on its international journey, joining the ranks of Filipino films that have left their mark on the world's cinematic stage.
tigkiliviThe international recognition of PureGold is built on the growing global presence of Cinepañol titles, many of which have earned accolades at major film festivals around the world. In addition to her Fantasporto recognition, Sigrid Bernardo's pushcart stories (2024) was also the Philippines' official entry for Thailand's Pattaya Film Festival 2025. JP Habach's olsen day (2025) was screened in 31scheduled tribe Minsk International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival Barcelona, while TM Malone's Greetings! (2025) won a Special Mention for lead actress Christine Marie Demyssip at the Festival International du Film Transsahérien de Zagora, and was selected in the 24.th Dhaka International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival Barcelona.
Other standout Cinepanelo films have also found international audiences. These include Jill Singson Urdaneta co-love (2025), Más de Guzmán Sepak clash (2025), and Catsy Catalan ephemeral (2025), which was screened at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona under various competitive sections. Sepak clash Also featured in 24th Dhaka International Film Festival.
Short films have also made their mark internationally under the Cinepanelo banner with Kent Michael Cadungog Text FIND DAD to 2366 (2024) earning an official selection at the upcoming International Film Festival Hanover in Germany; Gandhara Independent Film Festival in Pakistan; and the Diva Filipino Film Festival in Seattle.
Other Puregold Cinepañol shorts have been similarly recognized overseas, such as Marc Joseph Sanchez Our one and only child (oy) (2025), which screened at the 30° Ningbo Short Film Festival in China and Jagran Film Festival in India – with Sean Verdejo Dela Cruz, Juan P. (2025) and Clyde Gamale's champ green (2025).
genevieve adams Smokey Journey (2024) was selected for the student film competition of the Port Said Film Festival in Egypt, while Kenneth Flores' 1…2…blow!!! (2025) and Jose Andy Sales' Yes! (2025) were both official selections at the Asia Pacific Youth Micro-Movie Festival.
Together, these achievements highlight PureGold Cinepanelo's continued commitment to promoting Filipino filmmakers and elevating beautifully made stories on the global stage.
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