Arvin Belarmino
Arvin Belarmino | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1987 (age 38–39) Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation | Director |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Radikals, Ali, Ria, Agapito, Hinakdal |
| Awards | Gawad Urian Award, Kaohsiung Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival |
Arvin Alindogan Belarmino (born 1987) is a Filipino filmmaker. His debut feature project Ria was selected for the 2022 Festival de Cannes Cinéfondation La Résidence where it received the CNC Pitch Award.[1] His short film Radikals (2024) was selected for La Semaine de la Critique (Critic's Week) competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and in the following year, the short drama Agapito (film) premiered in the Short Film Palme d'Or competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival while the film Ali, written by him, got a special mention award during the latter.[2] [3][4]
Career
Belarmino began his filmmaking career with short films including Nakaw (2016) and The Death of Pablo (2016).[5]
He directed the experimental shorts Hinakdal in 2023 and Radikals in 2024.[6]
In 2025, he co-directed with Kyla Danelle Romero the short drama Agapito (film), which premiered in the Short Film Palme d'Or competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.[7] In the same year, the film received an honorable mention in the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival for the Best International Short Film award.[8]
In June 2026, Belarmino was invited by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, organizer of the annual Academy Awards, as a member of its Short Films Branch, becoming one of 529 artists and executives worldwide selected for the Academy's 2026 membership class.[9]
Early life
Belarmino was born in Masbate but spent most of his years in Manila.[10] He developed an interest in films at the age of eight after his father began taking him to video stores.[11]
Education
Belarmino took up information technology in De La Salle University – Dasmariñas at Dasmariñas, Cavite.[11]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Credit(s) | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Nakaw | Director | Short film | |
| 2016 | The Death of Pablo | Director | Short film | Filmed in non-traditional locations |
| 2023 | Hinakdal | Director | Short film | Experimental |
| Ria | Director | Feature film (in development) |
• 2022 Cannes Cinéfondation selection • CNC Pitch Award recipient | |
| 2025 | Agapito | Co-director (with Kyla Danelle Romero) |
Short film | • 78th Cannes Film Festival selection • Focus on duckpin alley workers • Music by John Angelo Diamos |
| 2025 | Ali | Writer | Short film | Screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and received a special mention award.[12] |
Festival participation
Belarmino has participated in these film programs:
Collaborators
- Noel Escondo – Co-director of Nakaw
- Kyla Danelle Romero – Co-director of Agapito[15]
- Kristine De Leon – Producer of Agapito
- John Angelo Diamos – Composer for Agapito
- Adnan Al Rajeev – Director Ali
Recent work
Belarmino's short film Agapito premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.[13] He participated in the 2024 Quinzaine des Cinéastes Factory Programme.[13]
References
- ↑ "Arvin Belarmino". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Arvin Belarmino". La Semaine de la Critique. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Radikals Radikals | La Semaine de la Critique of Festival de Cannes". Semaine de la Critique du Festival de Cannes. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ↑ Jaucian, Don (May 24, 2025). "Filipino-Written Film 'Ali' Wins Cannes Special Mention". rollingstonephilippines.com. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ↑ "Arvin Belarmino". AlloCiné. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Arvin Belarmino". Letterboxd. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ Mel Wang, "‘Agapito’ Creators on Filipino Short Film’s Journey to Cannes". Rolling Stone, May 13, 2025.
- ↑ Pete Hammond, "‘Hamnet’ Wins Oscar-Predictive Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award". Deadline Hollywood, September 14, 2025.
- ↑ Purnell, Kristofer. "Filipino director Arvin Belarmino invited to join Oscars organizers AMPAS". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ Abad, Ysa (May 5, 2024). "A love letter to bakte: The making of Arvin Belarmino's 'Radikals'". RAPPLER. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- 1 2 NEPALES, JANET SUSAN R. (May 14, 2025). "Young Filipino filmmakers heading to Cannes for their short films 'Agapito' and 'Ali'". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh - Filipino short film 'Ali' earns special recognition at Cannes". Prothomalo. May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Arvin Belarmino". La Semaine de la Critique. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Arvin Belarmino". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Director Arvin Belarmino reflects on Cannes 2025 in-competition short film 'Agapito'". PhilSTAR Life. Retrieved May 30, 2025.