ALT-R HEROES 2025 celebrates community storytelling in film festival finale

Special screenings on Bonifacio Day and Human Rights Day lead up to an in-person celebration on December 15.

ALT-R HEROES 2025, the year-long film and workshop program themed “From LGBT Rights to Human Rights,” is closing its run with a three-part finale that spans two national observances and culminates in an in-person celebration in Quezon City.

The initiative, which highlights socially engaged filmmaking and community-driven storytelling, announced a lineup that stretches from Bonifacio Day to Human Rights Day, capped by a grand event on Dec. 15 at Sine Pop in Cubao.

The program highlights socially engaged cinema, emerging filmmakers, and community narratives that explore resistance, memory, and lived queer experiences.

Bonifacio Day opening salvo

The lineup opens Nov. 30 with a Bonifacio Day special screening of “Walang Kasarian ang Digmang Bayan,” Jay Altarejos’ political drama that will stream online ahead of the festival’s closing events. The film revisits themes of rebellion, state violence, and personal defiance—a timely entry as the festival underscores stories of struggle and identity.

On Dec. 10, ALT-R Heroes marks Human Rights Day with a full-day digital showcase. The program includes last year’s winning short films, new works produced during the 2025 workshops, and Altarejos’ “Pink Halo-Halo,” a reflective piece on grief, memory, and the quiet toll of conflict.

The festival’s Grand Finale unfolds on Dec. 15 at Sine Pop, featuring 13 short films in competition, live talkbacks, a feature and short film presentation by Altarejos, performances, and an awards ceremony.

Altarejos, who is the festival director, emphasized that the initiative remains rooted in community storytelling. “ALT-R HEROES has always been about communities telling their own stories—with dignity, courage, and clarity. These are films that speak truth to power and honor the everyday people who continue to resist, remember, and imagine better worlds,” he said.

ALT-R Heroes 2025 is presented by GagaOOLala in partnership with 2076 Kolektib, beetzee, Hotel Sogo, Sine Pop, UPFI Film Center, and Radar PH. Updates and livestream links will be available through 2076 Kolektib’s official channels.

 

 

The festival’s Grand Finale unfolds on Dec. 15 at Sine Pop, featuring 13 short films in competition, live talkbacks, a feature and short film presentation by Altarejos, performances, and an awards ceremony.

 

 

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