EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas is proud to be the face of the 14th QCinema Film Festival: ‘It’s an honor’
With the return of the QCinema International Film Festival next month with a selection of films from the Philippines and around the world, the 14th edition of the festival, under the banner of Genre’teurs, aims to explore the intersection of genre filmmaking and auteur cinema. This year, actor Elijah Canlas has been chosen to be the face of the event, after being a regular festival fixture and participant over the past decade.
“Actually, it started out last year pa. Dahil nga naging friends ko na rin yung people from the festival because I’m always around, they mentioned last year pa na I should be the face of QCinema this year. Tapos akala ko joke, joke lang, tambay eh, so parang nag-jo-joke lang sa akin. But then eventually, nag-ta-try sila to book a schedule kaso puno yung schedule ko last year. So this year, fortunately, nakahanap kami ng libre na araw na makapag-shoot kami ng teaser and do promo materials so I could become the face of QCinema. So really I’m honored and it’s crazy. Like, at first it felt like a joke, but it’s real. It’s an honor and maqy narating yung ka-adikan ko sa panunuod ng movies,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview during the QCinema media launch held last October 22 in Quezon City
After being introduced as the face of QCinema during the event. Elijah took the stage to share the reasons why he is proud to be called a QCinema baby.
“Number one, naabutan ko pa yung hindi pa ako puwede um-attend ng parties nung pumupunta ako sa QCinema. Ngayon puwede na ako mag-attend ng mga QCinema afterparties, which I really recommend because they’re really fun. Two, I think one of the first short films I made was for QCinema, Contestant No.4 with direk Kaj Palanca. Third, I’m here every year. Tambay lang po talaga ako kaya nila ako kinuha dito. I love QCinema. I’m not going to say anything that might ruin my chances with other film festivals, but I really, really love this festival.
“As a fan of films in general, as a fan of cinema, I think they have one of the best programming in all of Asia. It’s just fun to be surrounded by fellow cinema fans and watch the films that we anticipate na hindi pa napapalabas dito sa bansang ‘to. Dito lang sa QCinema siya pinapalabas kaya it’s always fun. Four, the people that complete QCinema, it’s always a reunion every year,” he said.
Anchoring QCinema 2026’s Genre’teurs are its competition sections, showcasing emerging Asian filmmakers, bold directorial debuts and second features, LGBTQIA+ stories, and innovative short films from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.The festival’s main competition, Asian Next Wave, showcases some of the most exciting new voices in Asian cinema.
The 14th QCinema International Film Festival will run from November 13 to 22, 2026, with screenings at Gateway Cineplex 18, Robinsons Movieworld Galleria, Ayala Malls Cinemas TriNoma, Fisher Box Office, and SM Cinema – SM City Fairview. All festival screenings are priced at a discounted ticket rate of ₱200 each.