Cinemalaya 2024: Screening schedules of ‘Balota,' 'Lost Sabungeros,' 'Jose Rizal'

New and beloved films from GMA Network are set to be screened at this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which will run next month from Aug. 2 to 11.

On social media, the annual film festival dropped the screening schedule guide of this year’s entries that will be screened in several Ayala Malls, including Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Greenbelt, Trinoma, U.P. Town Center, and Market! Market!

The movies to watch out for are Marian Rivera’s much-awaited Cinemalaya film, "Balota," GMA Public Affairs' investigative docu film "Lost Sabungeros," and the digitally restored and remastered 1998 film "Jose Rizal."

Award-winning Kapuso director Zig Dulay's "Firefly," which bagged Best Picture at the Manila International Film Festival last year, will also be screened at Cinemalaya 2024 as part of the festival's exhibition program.

Here are the screening schedules and venue details:

'Balota'

August 3

• 8:30 p.m. - Greenbelt (Cinema 3), U.P. Town Center (Cinema 3)

August 4

• 5:00 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 2)
• 5:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 8)

August 5

• 8:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 9), Trinoma (Cinema 1), Market! Market! (Cinema 2)

August 6

• 11:00 a.m. - Greenbelt (Cinema 3), U.P. Town Center (Cinema 3)

August 7

• 2:00 p.m. - Trinoma (Cinema 1), Market! Market (Cinema 2)
• 8:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 10)

August 9

• 5:00 p.m. - Greenbelt (Cinema 3), U.P. Town Center (Cinema 3)
• 8:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinemas 8 and 10)  

August 11

• 11:00 a.m. - Market! Market! (Cinema 2)

'Lost Sabungeros'

August 8

• 5:00 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 2)

August 9

• 5:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 8)

'Firefly'

August 9

• 5:30 p.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay (Cinema 9)

'Jose Rizal'

August 7

• 4:00 p.m. - The Metropolitan Theater

I-Witness

Sisid sa Putik by Mav Gonzales, Boat to School by Howie Severino

August 7

• 11:00 a.m. -  Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 2

August 8

Bawat Barya by Atom Araullo, Ambulansyang de Paa by Kara David

August 8

• 11:00 a.m. - Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 2

“Balota” is written and directed by Kip Oebanda, the award-winning filmmaker behind "Liway" and "Bar Boys," and is co-produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Entertainment Group.

"Lost Sabungeros," on the other hand, is GMA Public Affairs' first-ever investigative documentary film. Directed by Bryan Brazil, the film investigates the disappearances of over 30 sabungeros who were abducted in various incidents since 2021.

The late National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya's "Jose Rizal" starring Cesar Montano bagged 17 awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1998, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Its gala screening on Aug. 7 will be attended by Diaz-Abaya's family, writer Ricky Lee, and cast members.

— Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News