Puregold CinePanalo’s Tigkiliwi joins prestigious Fantasporto 2026 in Portugal
Tara Illenberger Tigkiliwi (Longsided), a Puregold CinePanalo creation, achieves another milestone in Filipino filmmaking with a prized spot in the 46th Official Competition Director’s Weekth The Porto International Film Festival, known worldwide as Fantasporto 2026.
A sweet but sad story, Tigkiliwi follows her young siblings Lala and Marlin, orphaned and left to wander the world alone, as they find unexpected refuge with an old lady who is said to be an elderly woman. aswang, a changing creature in Philippine history. The film stars Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla, Julian Paul Larroder, and Sunshine Teodoro who deliver performances that have captivated local audiences and are now set to take the world stage.
The film previously won the Jury Prize at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, becoming the second feature supported by CinePanalo to reach Porto, following the success Pushcart Tales.
Set to take place from February 27 to March 8, 2026, Fantasporto is an international film festival celebrated for its high quality, creative cinema, especially in the fields of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.
Providing a platform for films that push boundaries and explore new forms of storytelling, the festival attracts over 110,000 people every year and is highly acclaimed Variety as one of the top 25 film festivals in the world.
Tigkiliwi Director Tara Illenberger is delighted with the success and is looking forward to the movie being known to international audiences. “I’m excited to find out if people will laugh or cry or respond in the same way as the Filipino audience.” Yes, I am very excited at the prospect of visiting Portugal for the first time with my Puregold CinePanalo family,” he shared.
Puregold Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed her excitement at the selection, saying, “TigkiliwiFantasporto’s reception also proved that the Filipino narrative resonates around the world. We aim to pave the way for our cultural affairs to get the recognition they deserve. We couldn’t be prouder to see another CinePanalo film represent Philippine cinema with such distinction.”
Official Competition Director’s Week, there Tigkiliwi will compete, dedicated to feature films, with the qualifying categories of Asian filmmakers of Fantasporto and 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 films to be produced in 2025, presented as a Portuguese premiere, and have English subtitles for non-English dialogue.
Puregold CinePanalo, launched in 2024 to highlight stories of hope and victory, or mga kwentong panalo of the Philippines, continues to nurture emerging filmmakers and provide a platform for films that celebrate Filipino art.
Following its Jury Award at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, Tigkiliwi now begins its international journey, joining Filipino films making their mark on the world cinema stage.
TigkiliwiInternational recognition builds on the worldwide growth of Puregold CinePanalo titles, several of which have received recognition at major film festivals around the world. Apart from its recognition of Fantasporto, by Sigrid Bernardo Pushcart Tales (2024) and was the Philippines’ official entry in Thailand’s Pattaya Film Festival 2025. JP Habac’s Olsen’s day (2025) is shown in 31St The Minsk International Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona, where TM Malones’. Hello (2025) received a Special Mention award for the leading actress Christine Mary Demaisip at the Festival International du Film Transsaharien de Zagora, and a selection in 24th Dhaka International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival Barcelona.
Some of CinePanalo’s most notable films have also found an international audience. This includes Jill Singson Urdaneta’s Co-Love (2025), by Mes de Guzman Sepak Takraw (2025), and by Catsi Catalan It’s moving fast (2025), presented at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona under different categories of competition. Sepak Takraw it was also revealed on the 24thth Dhaka International Film Festival.
Short films under the CinePanalo banner have also made their mark around the world, with Kent Michael Cadungog. Text FIND FATHER and Send to 2366 (2024) receiving official selections at the Up-and-Coming International Film Festival Hannover in Germany; the Gandhara Independent Film Festival in Pakistan; and the Diwa Filipino Film Festival in Seattle.
Other Puregold CinePanalo shorts have also been recognized abroad, such as by Mark Joseph Sanchez. Our One and Only Bab (oy) (2025), screened at the 30° Ningbo Short Film Festival in China, and at the Jagran Film Festival in India — along with Sean Verdejo’s. Dela Cruz, Juan P. (2025) and Clyde Gamale Champ Green (2025).
This is Jenieve Adame’s place Smoke Trip (2024) was nominated for the Student Film Competition of the Port Said Film Festival in Egypt, and Kenneth Flores’ 1… 2… Hit!!! (2025) and Jose Andy Sales’ G! (2025) were both official selections at the Asia Pacific Youth Micro-Movie Festival.
Together, these achievements highlight Puregold CinePanalo’s continued commitment to nurturing Filipino filmmakers and elevating well-made stories to the world stage.
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