Celebrating Filipino Culture on the Global Stage

Hold on to your cinema seats, film buffs! The global spotlight is about to brighten on Filipino storytelling once more, thanks to the exceptional work of award-winning filmmaker Sigrid Bernardo and his latest film, ‘Pushcart Tales.’ This vibrant tapestry of lives, set to screen at the 45th Fantasporto in Porto, Portugal, is making waves and earning praise from industry leaders like Variety magazine—ranking it among the world’s top 25 film festivals.

From February 28 to March 9, the Porto International Film Festival will be buzzing with excitement as it welcomes a staggering 110,000+ attendees! And at the core of this cinematic celebration is ‘Pushcart Tales,’ where a cast of unforgettable Filipino characters navigates trials during a stormy supermarket showdown. Step into the lives of grocery employees, a wealthy young shoplifter, a wandering elder, and an aspiring filmmaker as they find common ground and resilience amidst chaos.

The film boasts heartfelt performances from a stellar ensemble, including Nonie Buencamino, Shamaine Buencamino, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Harvey Bautista, Elora Españo, and Therese Malvar. With rich, relatable experiences and nuanced storytelling, it paints a poignant picture of humanity.

Sigrid Bernardo cannot hide his excitement about bringing this narrative to an international audience. “This journey would not have been possible without the talented cast and crew who poured their hearts into this project,” he expressed, emphasizing gratitude towards everyone involved, especially the producers and the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

‘Pushcart Tales’ first captured the hearts of audiences during its debut at the 2024 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, taking home six major awards, including Best Director for Bernardo. Emphasizing cultural pride, Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, the Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold, reflected on the festival’s mission: “Gaining international recognition for our films brings Filipino culture to the world stage, and we are extremely proud of ‘Pushcart Tales’ for this achievement.”

More than just a movie, this film encapsulates the essence of community, survival, and the indomitable Filipino spirit. It even garnered accolades for Best Sound Design, Best Ensemble, and featured standout performances that earned Carlos Siguion-Reyna the title of Best Actor and Shamaine Buencamino Best Actress at the same festival.

Initially launched to spotlight “Mga Kwentong Panalo,” or stories of hope and triumph, Puregold CinePanalo offers a nurturing platform for filmmakers of all levels to share their creative visions. Going bigger and bolder for its second iteration, the festival is granting support to eight full-length feature films and twenty-five student films, reinforcing its commitment to showcase narratives steeped in Filipino resilience.

Don’t miss the chance to witness this heartfelt journey! Winning entries from the festival will be screened from March 14-25, 2025 at the Gateway Cinemas, culminating in the excitement of the second Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on March 19, 2025.

With ‘Pushcart Tales’ leading the way, the world is about to see just how powerful and beautiful Filipino storytelling can be! Grab your popcorn and join the celebration!