I’ve seen a lot of indie films but in my recent memory, below are my personal favorite.
1. Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There)
Category: Drama, Romance
The plot I know: This is a story of a guy named Gibson (Dominic Roco) who created an imagination of his dead twin brother, Jamie (Felix Roco) who talks with him every time life becomes unfair and when their mom, Esme (Dawn Zulueta) enters the scene.
Accompanied with one of the best Pinoy film soundtracks you’ll ever listen to supported by the fact that it won the Best Original Music Score in Cinemalaya 8, Ang Nawawala also tackles the life of Gibson in the world of friendzone.
If you want to cry, watch this film.
Award!: Audience Choice, Best Original Music Score
2. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
Category: Drama, Comedy
The plot I know: Eugene Domingo fell down to the septic tank. This is how the film ended and how the film gave justice to the title.
The three types of acting: Elevator acting, the TV Patrol acting and “As is, where is” acting was popularized by this film.
(The address of this blog was inspired by this film)
Award!: Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actress (Eugene Domingo), Best Film, Audience Choice Award
3. Transit
Category: Drama
The plot I know: Transit tackles the life of OFWs and Pinoy immigrants in Israel that suffered from the law deporting their children if found illegitimate to live in the country.
Award!: Basta, it’s the most awarded film including the Best Film in Cinemalaya 9.
4. Esktra
Category: Drama, Comedy
The plot I know: This is not a story of Vilma Santos. This is a story of the struggle, triumph and life of every bit players. Sila naman ang bida.
Award!: Best Screenplay, Best Actress (Vilma Santos)
5. Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay
Category: Drama, Comedy, “Mockumentary”
The plot I know: This is the story of well-loved but not well-known actress who always play manananggal/aswang/white lady or what have you in your mind that is scary named Lilia Cuntapay. She should have been in Ekstra!
If you want to cry, watch this film.
My film review here: Six Degrees of Separation of Lilia Cuntapay
Award!: Best Actress (Lilia Cuntapay), Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Special Jury Prize (all from Cinema One Originals Film Fest)
To the Director: Who is Alexis?
6. Serbis
Category: Drama, Action, Romance
Indie films are not always drama or comedy. Indie films are in fact stereotyped as being bold, full of nudity and such.
The plot I know: This is a story of family and call boys in the world of prostitution inside a movie house.
Award!: Basta, it is the most awarded film, including the Best Picture, in 32nd Gawad Urian.
7. Babagwa (Spider’s Lair)
Category: Drama, Comedy
The plot I know: This is a story of a guy named Greg (Alex Medina), a Conman, who tricks other guys (probably bis or gays) on Facebook, asking for money. But, a woman (in character as Alma Concepcion) would change all Greg’s attitude, and his decision to live with that woman is life changing.
Award!: Best Supporting Actor (Joey Paras)
8. MNL 143
Category: Drama, Comedy, Romance
This is the controversial film that was pulled out in Cinemalaya 9 because of wrong casting.
The plot I know: This film rides in on the life of an FX driver (Alan Paule) who meets different types of people and their stories along the way in Manila to QC. Little did he know that he will meet again his wife (Joy Viado) that left him.
My film review here: From Manila with Love
Award!: (none yet)
9. Metro Manila
Category: Drama, Romance, Action
The plot I know: The story of the plight of a family that left their life in Banawe and chose to face the chaotic world in Metro Manila.
Award!: Audience Choice: World Dramatic (Sundance Film Festival), Best British Independent Film (British Independent Film Festival), etc.
10. Signos (The Sign)
Category: Drama, Horror
This is the first indie movie I watched
The plot I know: This indie film tackles environmental issues, superstitions and unexplainable things that haunt the characters.
Award!: Best Foreign Film (Lone Star International Film Festival)
(If you have the 11th, 12th and so on, just comment it below and put a 2-sentence plot/”The plot I know”-like words of it. Thank you)
Estudyante sa Septic Tank 
Nice.
Oyy morayta based. hehe.
You should have added
“Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” and “Walang Kawala (No Way Out)”.
Yeah. Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros is one of the best out there but in this list, I only listed those shown 2010 and above, except for Signos (2007). On the other hand, I haven’t watched Walang Kawala. Maybe, you have a copy? Hehehe. Thanks, dude/sir.
Meron ka bang mga kopya nito? Hahaha
Yun lang. Wala. Hehehe. Pwede kang makabili ng DVD copy sa CCP.
You should include Senior Year(2011) on your list. 🙂
I’ll try to find a copy.
saan ba makakabili ng DVD nito?? wala naman kasi sa mga dvd stores sa malls eh..
Sa CCP, meron
Hi there! Saan ba pwede mapanuod itong mga indie films na ito kasi kahit gustuhin ko man manuod sa cinemalaya mismo di naman kaya ng sched. 😦 pls answer po Is there other way for me to watch it
If you could accessed the UP Mass Communication’s library, that will answer your problem. You can privately watched them in the library but borrowing the DVDs out is not allowed.
saan po sa ccp makakabili ng DVDs?
Check mo sa merchandise store ng CCP
Thy womb by nora aunour
“Ang Nawawala” is the best! ❤
you spoil the films, sus! you are recommending a film by spoiling the whole pl
ot story.
Whole plot? Pakihanap po para sa akin. Di ko po mahanap. Gumawa ka ng sarili mong blog na wala kang ilalagay na plot, okay????