20 June 2026 – In celebration of the Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, in collaboration with Fiesta Filipino, the National Music Centre, and Culturtain Musicat Productions Inc., held the 2nd Sine Mabuhay Calgary Multicultural Film Festival (SineMa 2026) at Studio Bell in downtown Calgary.
The festival commenced on 19 June 2026 with a reception as part of the celebration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day. It was attended by members of the Calgary Consular Corps, partner organizations, and Filipino-Canadian community organizations. Following the reception, guests were ushered into the film venue and were entertained by the Association of Kalinga Residents in Alberta (AKRA) group by performing a combination of Tachok, Salip and Banga dances before the screening of the featured documentary entitled “Treasure of the Rice Terraces”. The screening was followed by an engaging Q&A with Filipino-Canadian Director Kent Donguines. The discussion generated a diverse set of comments from both older and younger generations about cultural identity and heritage preservation.
On the second day, Fiesta Filipino presented a curated selection of short films by Filipino-Canadian film makers, including “Assembly,” a documentary highlighting community efforts to protect Alberta’s natural environment; “The Boxing Ring,” a coming-of-age story exploring identity, family expectations, and self-discovery; “Roots to Table,” which followed a second-generation Filipino-Canadian chef’s journey of reconnecting with his heritage through food; and “Nasaan,” a moving reflection on family, music, and the shared experiences of the Filipino diaspora. Together, the short films offered diverse perspectives on belonging, culture, and community.
The festival concluded with a complimentary screening of the award-winning Filipino musical film “Ang Larawan”, a fitting finale for an event hosted at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. Prior to the screening, FlipSide Theatre Collective, a local Filipino-Canadian youth theatre company, performed an excerpt of their upcoming musical production.
By showcasing Filipino stories and performances on a multicultural platform, the festival strengthened the Filipino brand as an integral part of Calgary’s multicultural landscape. Overall, SineMa 2026 fulfilled its objectives of celebrating the Philippine Heritage Month by encouraging Filipino-Canadians, especially the younger generation, the importance of maintaining connections to one’s roots and taking pride in their cultural heritage. END
