Santa Maria Music and Film Festival gives you Movies, Music, and Mountain Views this December

Set high above the clouds on the mountaintops of Santa Maria, Laguna and framed by the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Santa Maria Music & Film Festival (SMMFF) offers a rare experience: cinema and music under the stars, surrounded by nature, and rooted in stories from around the world.

Since its inaugural run in December 2023, SMMFF has pioneered a one-of-a-kind fusion of film, music, and the outdoors inviting audiences to step away from the city and into a creative sanctuary where they can truly “See What Others Can’t.”

What began with just seven international short films, live music, and a close-knit community has now grown into a globally-reaching platform. For 2025, SMMFF proudly presents 39 films from 17 countries, reflecting bold storytelling and diverse artistic voices across continents including Australia, Austria, Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

These 39 finalists also serve as the quarterly winners, representing a vibrant mix of narrative films, documentaries, experimental works, musical stories, and cultural pieces. While all 39 earned their place through the quarterly selection, only the final winners chosen from among them will be screened at the festival, showcasing the strongest films of the year.

At the festival, this signature open-air venue will screen the music entries, the standout films, and the winners that rose above the competition.

Quarter I Finalists

● Visions of Her, directed by Mark F. Roling & Erik G. Voss from the United States.

● K-Indi IDOL, directed by Soo Sung Lee from Korea. 

● Breaking Out, directed by David Glass from the United States. 

● Madame Donalda, directed by Alan Marcus from the United Kingdom. 

● Jamcation: The Chronicles of Now Defunkt, directed by Scott Macklin from the

United States.

● Lucky Night, directed by Eduardo Mendoza from the United States. 

● A Neighborhood Odyssey, directed by Carlos Balvin from the United States. 

● Cowboy Boots, directed by Eric Delehoy from the United States. 

Quarter II Finalists

● Greensky Bluegrass – Find Ourselves Lost, directed by René Huemer from

Austria. 

● The Cost of a Dream, directed by Adrian Pucheu from the Dominican Republic.

● PAPmusic – Animation for Fashion, directed by Leikié from Italy. 

● I Miss You, Pluto, directed by Bella Reeves from the United States. 

● Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story, directed by Alison Duke from Canada. 

● The Man with the Microphone: A European Tour Documentary, directed by B

Menace from the United States. 

Quarter III Finalists

● The Child Within, directed by Daniel Troia from the United States. 

● The Meaning of a Ritual, directed by Natalie MacMahon from Germany. 

● Time Before Kevin, directed by Raine Gado from the Philippines. 

● I Am a Halo-Halo, directed by Daniel Buhat from the Philippines. 

● Second Chance, directed by India Anne Mitchell from the United States. 

● Break the Silence, directed by Dax Phelan from the United States. 

● Between three worlds - Robert Zorn: Percussionist, Farmer and Composer from

Tyrol, directed by Sina Moser from Austria. 

● Love Wins in the USA, directed by Sidney Gil from the United States. 

● Say His Name, directed by Billy Joseph, Jr. from the United States. 

● MEMRA, directed by Yulia Travnikova from the Russian Federation. 

● Une Réflexion, directed by M.Y.R.A. Entertainment from Singapore.

Quarter IV Finalists

● Cotton Candy, directed by Jesse Klick from the United States. 

● To Be Anders Widmark, directed by Peter Östlund from Sweden. 

● Image Dance, directed by John Dawson from the United States. 

● First Refusal, directed by Courtney Sanello from the United States. 

● American Pot Story: Oaksterdam, directed by Ravit Markus & Dan Katzir from

the United States. 

● Reborn, directed by Ken Izumisawa from Japan. 

● Castle in the Air, directed by Jess D&Aguanno from Australia. 

● Clout Chaser, directed by Lubomir Atan from the United States. 

● The World of UConn Stamford’s Campus Library, directed by Dorian Robinson

from the United States. 

● Inspire Me, directed by Geoffrey Fighiera from France. 

● Chance Encounters, directed by Hasi Eldib from Canada. 

● Guiding Light, directed by India Anne Mitchell from the United States. 

● Life in Tandem, directed by Joseph Litzinge & Mia Grimes from the United

States. 

Plan Your Visit

Date & Time:
December 6, 2025 · 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Venue:
Santa Maria Open Air Cinema, 143 Summit, Brgy. Pao-o, Santa Maria, Laguna

Tickets:
Free with advance registration. Limited seating available.

What to Bring:
A light jacket, refillable water bottle for plastic-free hydration stations, and comfortable footwear fit for the mountain setting.

Guests are guided through travel logistics, accessibility, and weather preparations, ensuring a seamless and sustainable outdoor experience.

A Creative Community

Whether you’re an artist, filmmaker, musician, or simply curious, SMMFF is where

people gather to discover fresh perspectives and stories that challenge, surprise, and

inspire. And from independent shorts to student films, global documentaries to experimental music

videos, SMMFF champions storytellers from all genres and backgrounds.