Elijah Canlas is heading to Germany with his film, Raging (Rumaragasa), an entry to the 2025 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, set for its international premiere in the Panorama Section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
Directed by Ryan Machado (Huling Palabas), Raging follows Eli (Canlas), a young man who witnesses a mysterious plane crash near Mt. Guiting-Guiting. This discovery intertwines with his search for truth and justice while also trying to be seen and heard within his community.
The festival’s Panorama section is a curated program that showcases contemporary, arthouse, and bold international cinema depicting social, political, or feminist themes.
Joining Canlas and the film is Enjoy Your Stay, starring veteran independent actress Mercedes Cabral, which will also screen in the Panorama section. Despite being a mainstay and veteran in international film festivals, this marks the first time Cabral heads to Berlinale. She has starred in Filipino films with frequent collaborator, award-winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, in the films Serbis, Kinatay, and Ma’ Rosa.
Last year, Canlas starred in the Maris Racal-led Sunshine, directed by Antoinette Jadaone. The acclaimed film had its European premiere at the 2025 edition of the festival as part of the Generation 14plus section and took home the Crystal Bear for Best Film.