SineMa 2026 — Opening Night: Treasure of the Rice Terraces

Kick off SineMa 2026 with an opening ceremony featuring vibrant Cordillera performances and the screening of Treasure of the Rice Terraces. Program 7:00 pm - Red Carpet 7:30 pm – 7:45 pm - Opening Ceremonies / Cordillera music and dances (indigenous performances from Northern Philippines) 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm - Feature Film Screening 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm - Feature Film Q&A / Networking About Treasure of the Rice Terraces Director: Kent Donguines When a Filipino Canadian filmmaker returns to his homeland to reconnect with his roots, he learns about the ancient art of Kalinga tattooing from the legendary 108-year-old artist, Apo Whang-od, discovering how this once-forgotten tradition has shaped the Filipino identity today. Runtime: 75 minutes Country: Canada / Philippines Language: English, Tagalog, Butbut (with English subtitles) About SineMa 2026 SineMa 2026 (short for Sine Mabuhay) is a dynamic celebration of multicultural storytelling through film, spotlighting the voices of Filipino Canadian filmmakers alongside acclaimed works from the Philippines. Hosted at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, the 2026 edition expands beyond cinema by integrating music and dance into its programming, reflecting the venue’s creative energy and elevating the audience experience. This year’s festival presents a vibrant convergence of film, music, and cultural expression, positioning SineMa 2026 as a compelling platform for artistic exchange, community engagement, and the celebration of Filipino and diasporic identity.