The Dreamanila International Film Festival is a celebration of the world's finest cinema.
We are not simply here to provide venues for film screenings; rather, our primary mission is to encourage and support masters and emerging filmmakers in presenting their films to the world with the purest and most artistic visions and intentions.
We invite the most prestigious filmmakers and industry professionals to select the winners from our meticulously programmed submissions. As the most exciting historical capital of the Philippines, Manila offers opportunities for sociocultural exchange of creativity, ideas, and market-building to cultural workers and artists.
At Dreamanila, audiences and filmmakers will be able to interact. The festival features a variety of screenings, panels, educational programs, and question-and-answer sessions that foster socially conscious and innovative gatherings of this generation's free-thinking and creative minds.
In 2018, the inaugural Dreamanila International Film Festival screened more than thirty films, including fifteen shorts and fifteen features, for jurors and attendees, both live and online. Filmmakers from the United States to Iran and as far-flung and exotic as Nigeria and the Philippines showcase new and exciting young filmmakers, established directors, and unscreened works borne of creative experiments and independence.
During the COVID pandemic, live online screenings and an awards ceremony were held during our second edition in May 2020.
The current and third edition of Dreamanila was held in a physical location 18 months ago, with the expectation that the pandemic would be under control by then. The COVID-19 situation in the Philippines during the Dreamanila 2021 afforded its participants a livestreamed event from November 19 to November 21 on our YouTube channel.
The 2024 edition will now be held live venue, to be participated in person by participants and audiences from all over.
The festival continues to expand its reach in order to discover more independent filmmakers with passionate social, political, and professional visions.
Explore international cinema. Your Dreams. In Manila

Awards & Prizes

The Fifth Annual DREAMANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL will feature films in all categories.

Dreamanila 2024 shall be hosted independently by the Dreamanila Group. The Dreamanila International Film Festival is set for November 2024.

Dreamanila 2024 is still characterized by its humble nature, providing whatever accessible platform it can possibly gather. The online edition may still continue depending on the provisionality of the state of the global health crisis and the financial capability of the festival. What remains is our fervent hope to create and reach out to audiences worldwide and to introduce and reintroduce film talents and voices. Award winners will receive certificates of honor.

The categories are as follows: Best Film Best Performance Best Director Best Screenplay Achievement in Aural and Artistic Design Social Media Award Audience Award

Rules & Terms

Eligibility Requirements

1. Films completed on or after January 1, 2022 are eligible for consideration.
2. Films that have been completed on or before January 1, 2022 are ELIGIBLE provided they have not been publicly screened.
3. Films previously submitted to the Dreamanila International Film Festival are NOT eligible for consideration
4. All entries not in the English language must be subtitled in English.
5. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry to the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.

Submission Guidelines

1. Feature-length films must be submitted via online screener hosted by Vimeo or FilmFreeway. Online screeners must be available to download.
2. Only complete entries (including fee payment and screener) will be considered.
3. All films selected for the Dreamanila International Film Festival will screen on DVD/MP4 unless otherwise arranged by the submitting filmmaker and programming team.

Deadlines
• June 15, 2023
Opening Date
• August 30, 2023
Earlybird Deadline
• November 30, 2023
Regular Deadline
• January 30, 2024
Late Deadline
• July 30, 2024
Extended Deadline
• September 30, 2024
Expanded Deadline
• October 15, 2024
Notification Date
• November 30 – December 2, 2024
Event Date

Judging & Selection

Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Dreamanila International Film Festival programming committee. If a film is selected, the Festival office will contact the entrant by email.
All entrants will be notified on or before October 15, 2024

Entry Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, registration notification, full consideration by the programming department, and notification of the results. These fees may be paid by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).
26 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Obadiah Baker

    An amazing festival! Thank you for screening “Inside Out” at your annual event.

    October 2022
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  • Yurugu Matsumoto

    Thank you for choosing my movie as BEST SCREEN PLAY.
    Let's meet again!

    December 2021
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  • Keith Barnfather

    Marvellous to see "Asylum - Love Has No Borders" get this recognition (Best Film). Highlighting the faults in the worldwide Asylum system was our main aim. Great festival with real heart! Highly recommended.

    November 2021
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  • Shiela Bunag Abille

    Thank you Dreamanila International Film Fest for choosing my screenplay "Becoming Raven" as an Award Winner under the Best Unproduced Screenplay category. I'm so happy to be part of this festival!

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Pawlo Las Marias

    It was a great festival! Thank you for awarding my short The Land Of No Forgiveness for an honorable mention for direction.

    November 2021
    Helpful