The Santa Maria Music & Film Festival (SMMFF) is set to host its most expansive edition yet, announcing 39 finalist films from 17 countries for its 2025 event. Set high above the clouds on the mountaintops of Santa Maria, Laguna, SMMFF offers a rare experience: cinema and music under the stars, surrounded by nature, and rooted in diverse stories from around the world. The festival will culminate in its signature open-air screening event on December 6, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Santa Maria Open Air Cinema.
A Global Platform for Unseen Stories
Since its inaugural run in December 2023, SMMFF has pioneered a unique fusion of film, music, and the outdoors, inviting audiences to truly “See What Others Can’t.” What began with just seven international short films has quickly grown into a globally-reaching platform. The 2025 edition welcomes finalists handpicked from the festival’s largest and most diverse pool, representing countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
These 39 quarterly winners showcase a vibrant mix of genres and narratives:
- Highlighting Global Issues: Films like "Second Chance" (USA) and "Break the Silence" (USA) address crucial social and mental health topics.
- Celebrating Music: International music stories include "Greensky Bluegrass – Find Ourselves Lost" (Austria), "The Cost of a Dream" (Dominican Republic), and "Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story" (Canada), diving deep into artistic struggles and legacies.
- Filipino Talent: The Philippines is represented by compelling shorts such as "Time Before Kevin" and "I Am a Halo-Halo", exploring themes of cultural identity and futuristic challenges.
- Unconventional Journeys: The lineup features unique life stories like "Between three worlds - Robert Zorn: Percussionist, Farmer and Composer from Tyrol" (Austria) and personal explorations such as "The Child Within" (USA).
Only the final selected winners chosen from this pool will be screened at the signature open-air venue on the night of the festival, featuring the strongest films and music entries of the year.
From Passion Project to Cultural Tradition
The SMMFF is the brainchild of Festival Director Jennifer Maliwanag. What started as her passion project has since evolved into a cultural tradition. Maliwanag's vision was simple but bold: to create a platform for discovering the unseen, exploring the unexplored, uplifting every voice, and celebrating every story. In 2023, she launched Santa Maria’s first-ever open-air mountaintop film festival on her family’s mountain property. That inaugural year laid the foundation for the festival’s mission: to show how perseverance, community, and storytelling can bring Filipino talent to the international stage.
The organizing committee, which includes Producer & Creative Lead Rex Lopez and Film Creator & Communications Lead Jerico Maliwanag, remains committed to shaping SMMFF into more than just an annual event, but a growing tradition and a home for artists and explorers.
Experience the Unique Mountaintop Cinema
The festival venue, the Santa Maria Open Air Cinema, is nestled atop the Sierra Madre ridgeline and features breathtaking ridgeline views of Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, and Laguna de Bay. This natural panorama makes every screening feel cinematic even before the films begin. SMMFF champions storytellers from all genres and backgrounds, offering attendees a unique curated outdoor experience that fosters a creative community. Tickets for the December 6, 2025 event are Free with advance registration, though seating is limited. Guests are advised to bring layers or a light jacket and comfortable shoes fit for the mountain environment.
Event Details:
- Date & Time: December 6, 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Venue: Santa Maria Open Air Cinema, 143 Summit, Brgy. Pao-o, Santa Maria, Laguna
- Tickets: Free with advance registration.
The Santa Maria Music & Film Festival continues to remind audiences to look deeper and See What Others Can’t.
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