The Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival returns for its 10th edition from October 24 to 28, 2026 in Davao City, Philippines, with screenings and events at Cinematheque Centre Davao, The Green House Cinema, and The Commons, MTS.
A Davao-based festival dedicated to genre cinema from the Philippines and across Asia, NgAFFF takes its name from ngilngig, a Bisaya term that evokes the fantastic, magical, eerie, and macabre. It draws inspiration from Asia’s rich traditions of horror, folklore, myths, legends, and the supernatural. Organized by Pasalidahay, Inc., a collective of Davao filmmakers and film enthusiasts, the festival champions regional cinema, nurtures diverse creative voices, and explores how film can preserve, transform, and reimagine cultural narratives. Through bold and imaginative storytelling, it fosters cross-cultural exchange and expands the possibilities of fantastic cinema in the Philippines and beyond.
This year’s theme is Metamorphosis. Marking a decade of Asian ngilngig and fantastic cinema, NgAFFF 2026 explores how stories transform our understanding of ourselves and the “Other,” moving from intimate regional voices to cross-cultural encounters. Through shifting identities, altered realities, and evolving cultural perspectives, the festival invites audiences to venture beyond the familiar and discover cinema’s power to challenge conventions, reimagine worlds, and reveal new possibilities.
Before the main festival, the Ngilngig Film Camp 2026 runs from October 19 to 22. The four-day learning platform is designed for aspiring filmmakers and storytellers to develop their ideas, deepen their understanding of cinema, and explore their creative potential. It features mentors Sherad Anthony Sanchez, Joshua Caesar “Wowa” Medroso, and Dodo Dayao, whose works have helped shape and push the boundaries of Philippine genre and fantastic cinema. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and creative exchange, participants can connect with fellow filmmakers, gain insights from established practitioners, and discover new possibilities for their filmmaking journeys.
The festival proper features 50 new short films from the Philippines and across Asia. Philippine entries come from regions and cities including Ilocos, Quezon City, Marikina, Batangas, Leyte, Sagay, Cebu, Butuan, and Davao, while Asian selections include films from Cambodia, Nepal, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other countries across the region. Together, these works reflect the richness of Asian cultures and the many ways filmmakers explore the fantastic through distinct experiences, traditions, and cinematic visions.
The feature film program presents contemporary Asian cinema, including the Asian premiere of I Grew an Inch When My Father Died, a film by a filmmaker from Leyte; Stinker (Sasyq), the debut feature of a filmmaker from Kazakhstan; the Philippine premiere of Vietnam’s Antithesis of Gemini; the Philippine premiere of The Curse, a Japan–Taiwan production; and the Mindanao premiere of The Mothering (Mag-iina), an award-winning film from Cinemalaya 2026.
NgAFFF also creates space for learning and collaboration. A cinematography workshop led by Neil Daza, LPS, and a film industry talk titled “Tambayayong: Imagineering a Sustainable Film Ecosystem” bring filmmakers and the creative community together to exchange knowledge, explore industry challenges, and imagine more sustainable futures for Philippine cinema.
On October 27, WIP Night gives filmmakers a chance to share projects while they are still taking shape. Participants can present their work, exchange ideas with fellow filmmakers and practitioners, and build connections that may help move their projects forward. By encouraging creative exchange and collaboration, WIP Night supports the development of new stories and strengthens the independent filmmaking community.
The five-day festival closes on October 28, 2026, with a closing reception and awards ceremony celebrating the filmmakers and films featured in this year’s edition.
For updates, follow NgAFFF on Facebook at facebook.com/ngilngigdavao and Instagram at instagram.com/ngilngig, or visit www.ngilngig.com/ngafff2026.
NeP-C Ledesma is a millennial writer and entrepreneur full of curiosity about our abstract world. She devours Psychology, food, Philosophy, and prefer cats as her all-time company. Pop Culture is her kryptonite.