The
International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) is set to light up
Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas on July 11-13, 2025, with a
dynamic showcase that brings together silent cinema classics and the
pulse of live Filipino music. Now firmly reestablished after years of
disruptions, ISFFM stands out for blending film heritage with
contemporary sounds, creating a space where cultures meet and new
artistic conversations take shape.
This year’s lineup draws from a remarkable range of films: Austria’s The Life of Beethoven (1927) will be accompanied by a performance arranged through HearLife, which uniquely combines deaf and hearing musicians to interpret the story of Beethoven himself. Italy’s Fra Diavolo (1925) takes on new energy through the bold arrangements of Pepe Manikan’s Progharmonic Orchestra. Psychic Surgeons will add their adventurous jazz-electronic layers to Spain’s Gigantes y Cabezudos (1926). Ma.Ma. — the duo of Joee Mejias and Alyana Cabral — will offer a deeply textured, exploratory set for Germany’s Wie Sich Der Kientopp Rächt, Geschichten von Freiheit und Freundschaft, and Aschenputtel. From Japan comes The Scent of Pheasant’s Eye (1935), a story of intimacy between two women in the silent era, which will be reimagined through sound by Teresa Barrozo, Pat Sarabia, and Mariah
Reodica.
This year’s lineup draws from a remarkable range of films: Austria’s The Life of Beethoven (1927) will be accompanied by a performance arranged through HearLife, which uniquely combines deaf and hearing musicians to interpret the story of Beethoven himself. Italy’s Fra Diavolo (1925) takes on new energy through the bold arrangements of Pepe Manikan’s Progharmonic Orchestra. Psychic Surgeons will add their adventurous jazz-electronic layers to Spain’s Gigantes y Cabezudos (1926). Ma.Ma. — the duo of Joee Mejias and Alyana Cabral — will offer a deeply textured, exploratory set for Germany’s Wie Sich Der Kientopp Rächt, Geschichten von Freiheit und Freundschaft, and Aschenputtel. From Japan comes The Scent of Pheasant’s Eye (1935), a story of intimacy between two women in the silent era, which will be reimagined through sound by Teresa Barrozo, Pat Sarabia, and Mariah
Reodica.
The festival’s main visual, unveiled this
week, turns our attention homeward: inspired by Dalagang Bukid (1917),
the first known Filipino-produced silent film. With a still image
courtesy of the Mowelfund Library & AV Archive, the poster also
honors Atang Dela Rama, the country’s first National Artist for Theater
and the original star of the film. It’s both a remembrance of the
Philippines’ cinematic origins and a celebration of how far storytelling
on screen has come.
ISFFM doesn’t stop there. On July 14, a special program by the Japan Foundation Manila at the UPFI Film Center invites audiences to dive deeper into the Japanese tradition of the benshi — the live narrators who gave voice to silent films. Nanako Yamauchi, trained under renowned benshi Midori Sawato, will lead a workshop at 10:00 AM, followed by a unique performance during the afternoon screening, continuing her mission to bring this rich art form to audiences beyond Japan.
ISFFM doesn’t stop there. On July 14, a special program by the Japan Foundation Manila at the UPFI Film Center invites audiences to dive deeper into the Japanese tradition of the benshi — the live narrators who gave voice to silent films. Nanako Yamauchi, trained under renowned benshi Midori Sawato, will lead a workshop at 10:00 AM, followed by a unique performance during the afternoon screening, continuing her mission to bring this rich art form to audiences beyond Japan.
As the festival draws near, ISFFM reaffirms its role not just as a film event, but as a gathering
that builds bridges across art forms and nations. Made possible by the
collaboration of the Embassy of Austria, Instituto Cervantes, Japan
Foundation Manila, Goethe-Institut Philippinen, and the Philippine
Italian Association, along with talented Filipino musicians and
filmmakers, this year’s festival invites everyone to experience cinema
in a way that’s immersive, unexpected, and truly alive.
Pre-registration for all screenings will open, with full program details and the festival calendar to follow. Free admission, and there are guaranteed Walk-In slots besides the Pre-registration. Keep an eye on the official ISFFM social pages for updates on tickets, special features, and highlights from this year’s journey.
Pre-registration for all screenings will open, with full program details and the festival calendar to follow. Free admission, and there are guaranteed Walk-In slots besides the Pre-registration. Keep an eye on the official ISFFM social pages for updates on tickets, special features, and highlights from this year’s journey.
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