True revolution begins in the imagination.
AVHRF 2024
The 12th Active Vista Human Rights Festival: Espekulasyon
What if things were different?
The 12th edition of the Active Vista Human Rights Festival: ESPEKULASYON invites audiences to wander together into the world of possibilities–to imagine a future where gripping into hope does not bleed, and a better reality is within reach.
By spotlighting stories from the margins through nine satellite regional festivals, Active Vista takes its viewers to see the world not as it is, but as what it could be, opening conversations through films, humor, art, and performances, ushering them in a critical discourse through forums and talks that encourage in-depth reflection on a future beyond what is.
For in this world of uncertainties, where the future is bleak, to speculate is to resist.
Announcements and Updates
Festival Calendar
September 15 - 27, 2026
PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT:
SEP 15
BULLET-LACED DREAMS
by Kristoffer Brugada and Cha Escala
A NORMAL LIFE
by Mykola Nosok
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 | 1:30 PM | UPFI Videotheque
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
MAIN FESTIVAL EVENTS:
SEP 18
FESTIVAL OPENING
EDJOP
by Katski Flores
SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM | GATEWAY 2 CINEMA 16
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
BY INVITATION ONLY
SEP 19
ASWANG
by Alyx Ayn Arumpac
SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 | 4:00 PM | SINEPOP, CUBAO
TICKET: PHP 250
Short film selections
FRAMES: FILIPINO SHORT FILM EXHIBITION
SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM | SINEPOP, CUBAO
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
SEP 20
PARALLEL HISTORY OF EX-VIOLENCE
ALINGAWNGAW
by Jade Oraa
RESPETO
by Treb Monteras
SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 | 5:00 PM | BALAY BAYANI, BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
Short film selections
FRAMES: FILIPINO SHORT FILM EXHIBITION
SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 | 2:00 PM | BALAY BAYANI, BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
SEP 21
MARTIAL LAW COMMEMORATION: MOBILIZATIONS
SEP 22
REPUBLIKA NG PIPOLIPINAS
by Renei Dimla
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM | BALAY BAYANI, BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER | TICKETS: PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
by Noni Abao
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 | 2:00 PM | COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE (EXCLUSIVE)
SEP 23
Short film selections
FRAMES: FILIPINO SHORT FILM EXHIBITION
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM | HARONG CAFE, QUEZON CITY
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
SEP 24
ASWANG
by Alyx Ayn Arumpac
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM | DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY (EXCLUSIVE)
Featured short films
WHAT REMAINS IS A RECKONING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM | BALAY BAYANI, BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER
SPONSORED SCREENING (FREE)
BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
by Noni Abao
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM | BALAY BAYANI, BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER | TICKETS: PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
SEP 25
Featured short films
WHAT REMAINS IS A RECKONING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | 5:00 PM | UP CINEMA
WATCH PARTY
DRUG WAR
by Shugo Praico
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM | HARONG CAFE, QUEZON CITY
FREE
SEP 26
FESTIVAL CLOSING
MAG-IINA (The Mothering)
by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela-Luarca
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM | GATEWAY 1 CINEMA 1
TICKETS: SPONSORED SCREENING (LIMITED SLOTS)
SEP 27
STAGE READING:
PATAYIN ANG MGA SUROT
by Floyd Scott Tiogangco
TINDERELLA
by Seah Antalan
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 | 6:00 PM | HARONG CAFE, QUEZON CITY
BANTAYOG: ALAALA AT GUNITA:
A Limited Stage Reading on Dictatorship, Disappearance, and the Architecture of Remembrance
Lualhati Bautista’s
DESAPARESIDOS
Adapted for the stage by Guelan Varela-Luarca
Directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca and Kat Batara
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 | 7:30 PM | POWER MAC CENTER SPOTLIGHT BLACKBOX THEATER, CIRCUIT, MAKATI
EXHIBITIONS
SEP 15 - 30
SPRINTS EXHIBITION
SEPTEMBER 15 - 30, 2026
LUZON: COMUNA, MAKATI
VISAYAS: ARTS AND DESIGN COLLECTIVE DUMAGUETE
MINDANAO: LA HERENCIA
CULMINATION EVENT: OCTOBER 15 | COMUNA, MAKATI
SEP 18 - 27
AVFEST 2024 Official Festival Guide
This year, the festival invites its audience to reflect on a future beyond the present by opening discussions through humor, art, and performances—spotlighting regional stories, conducting educational forums, and screening films that encourage viewers to see the world not only as it is but as it could be, as it should be.
INQUIRIES? CONCERNS?
Contact Us
Phone: (02) 7900 13 76
Office Location: Quezon City, Philippines
