Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen. Handout
MANILA — After a two-year hiatus, Shangri-La Plaza’s beloved film programming returned with a renewed sense of purpose — and a full house of diplomats, cinephiles, filmmakers, and silent film fans to mark the occasion.
The revival signals not just the appetite for global cinema, but also the mall’s evolving mission to make its Red Carpet Cinema a space where culture, conversation, and community intersect.
The ongoing initiative, now formally dubbed Culture in Focus, transforms the upscale mall’s cinema into a year-round destination for art films, international festivals, and creative expression.
Through collaborations with institutions such as the Institut Philippinen, the Philippine Italian Association, and the Embassy of Austria in the Philippines, Shangri-La Plaza has cemented its reputation as a key player in Manila’s arts and culture landscape.
“Shangri-La Cinema has been, for many years, a home for several film festivals from different embassies,” said acclaimed filmmaker and Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen. “When I was still a student of film in Manila, we used to go to places looking for European and art films to watch. And so, I am glad that after all these years, especially for the younger generation of filmmakers and film lovers, Shangri-La Plaza is here as a place to go to for these festivals, which you would not see otherwise in the usual setting, the whole year.”
Throughout the year, Culture in Focus will host a robust slate of film festivals, including the International Silent Film Festival, Cine Europa, the Japanese Film Festival, and the Spring Film Festival celebrating Chinese New Year.
Local initiatives like Sine Kabataan and Cinemalaya will spotlight homegrown talent, while niche platforms such as KinoFest and Animahenasyon will cater to fans of German cinema and animation, respectively.
But the initiative extends beyond film screenings. Shangri-La Plaza is programming DJ nights, talk-backs with filmmakers, workshops, and immersive events that turn the Red Carpet Cinema into a third space — not just for entertainment, but for dialogue and discovery.
“At Shang, we’ve long believed that cinema is more than a venue for entertainment,” said Joy Polloso, Executive Vice President for Retail and Commercial. “With Culture in Focus, we further transform the Red Carpet into a vibrant destination where film becomes a gateway to understanding, connection, and shared experience.”