QUEZON City, the capital’s so-called “City of Stars,” is set to celebrate pride through cinema as it is set to host the inaugural RainbowQC Pride Film Festival, a special edition of the acclaimed QCinema International Film Festival, in celebration of Pride Month.
RainbowQC Pride Film Festival will run from June 25 to 27, 2025 at the Gateway Cineplex in Cubao, Quezon CIty, where it will put the spotlight on nine powerful films that center on LGBTQ+ stories and voices.
Mayor Joy Belmonte highlighted the importance of this cultural milestone.
“QCinema is one of our city’s most anticipated cultural events—bringing together film lovers and creatives alike. This year, we proudly introduce RainbowQC, a special edition that celebrates not just the art of cinema, but the spirit of Pride and inclusion.”
Curated by QCinema Artistic Director Ed Lejano, the festival features a blend of local and international titles. Highlights include The Wedding Banquet (USA), Some Nights I Feel Like Walking (Italy, Philippines, Singapore), Cocoon (Germany), and Consequences (Slovenia).
The festival concludes on June 27 with a free screening of short films under the Rainbow QCShorts section, curated by Jason Tan Liwag. Featured works include:
• Abutan Man Tayo ng House Lights by Apa Agbayani
• A Catholic Schoolgirl by Myra Angeline Soriaso
• the river that never ends by JT Trinidad
• Microplastics by Lino Balmes
• Water Sports by Whammy Alcazaren
“Film is a powerful tool for empathy and understanding,” Belmonte emphasized. “By amplifying the stories of the LGBTQ+ community, we promote visibility, break barriers, and advance our shared goals of equality and inclusion.”
Lejano adds, “RainbowQC marks QCinema’s first foray into dedicated Pride programming. As a new annual tradition, it will serve as a key part of the city’s Pride Month calendar, leading up to the Lov3 Laban Pride March on June 28 at the UP Diliman campus, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration.”