Photo courtesy of Bacolod City LGU
The Bacolod City government invited student filmmakers to join the Metro Manila Film Festival Student Shorts Competition as the city prepares to host MMFF-related activities in December.
Bacolod will be the first city outside Metro Manila to stage events connected to the annual film festival, which is now in its 52nd year.
This year’s student competition carries the theme “Paskong Pinoy/Pasko Sa Atin” and seeks original stories centered on the Filipino Christmas experience.
The city encouraged young filmmakers to showcase Bacolodnon talent and present their own interpretations of Christmas through film.
The competition is organized by the MMFF in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Film Academy of the Philippines.
A total of 16 semifinalists will each receive a Php 20,000 script development grant and participate in a story development workshop.
Eight finalists will be given a Php 50,000 production grant, attend a short filmmaking workshop and have their films screened nationwide alongside the official MMFF 2026 entries.
The winning entry will receive Php 100,000 and be named Best Student Short Film during the MMFF Awards Night, with submissions accepted until Aug. 31, 2026.