Pride Month is all about celebrating queer identities—and the Cinemalaya 2025 film Open Endings rerun puts the spotlight on our beloved girlies who are unapologetically #wuhluhwuh. Directed by Nigel Santos, the film had its successful run in last year’s film festival and is now back on the big screen in cinemas nationwide. It goes without saying that there is a growing audience for sapphic films like these. If you’ve watched and loved Open Endings (see our film review here) and can’t help but want more, here’s a list of local sapphic films that deserve a spot on your binge-watch list.

Baka Bukas (2016)

Themes: Best friends to lovers, closeted identity, coming out
Release Date: November 14, 2016 (Cinema One Originals)
Run-time: 1 hour 24 minutes
Where To Watch: Apple TV, iWantTFC, Netflix

Baka Bukas is a Samantha Lee gem that dives into the blurred lines between friendship and romance. It follows Alex, a closeted creative, and her best friend Jess, whose bond begins to shift into something deeper. With witty dialogue and intimate storytelling, it became a modern sapphic classic that resonates with anyone who has wrestled with hidden feelings. Watch to find out if they ever #RuinTheFriendship.

Si Chedeng at si Apple (2017)

Themes: Late-bloomer, female friendship, dark comedy
Release Date: November 16, 2017 (Cinema One Originals)
Run-time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Where To Watch: iWantTFC

Si Chedeng at si Apple, directed by Fatrick Tabada and Rae Red, is a dark comedy about two older women who embark on a wild road trip. After Chedeng comes out following her husband’s death, she and her best friend Apple set off on a journey to find Chedeng’s ex-girlfriend. The film is both hilarious and liberating with all its unexpected twists—proving that love and completely accepting who you are can happen regardless of age and stage in life.

Rookie (2023)

Themes: Coming-of-age, sports (volleyball), high school romance
Release Date: August 9, 2023 (Cinemalaya Film Festival)
Run-time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Where To Watch: MUBI, Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Samantha Lee, Rookie is a sports romantic comedy that captures the excitement of a typical high school love story—the subtle yearning for a crush and the electrifying tension in between banters. It follows Ace, a transferee, who unexpectedly joins the girls’ volleyball team and develops feelings for her teammate Jana. The film blends the adrenaline of competition and sportsmanship with the slow, youthful blossoming of first love. It’s a vibrant story of self-discovery, friendship, and the beauty of embracing who you are—this film will surely make you love the player AND the game!

Ang Huling ChaCha ni Anita (2013)

Themes: Coming-of-age, childhood crush, nostalgia
Release Date: September 18, 2013 (CineFilipino Film Festival)
Run-time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Where To Watch: Cignal Play, iWantTFC

Ang Huling ChaCha ni Anita is a nostalgic coming-of-age film set in a provincial town. Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, the film blossoms into a story of innocence, longing, and transformation as we witness Anita’s crush on an older woman named Pilar. It is a heartfelt narrative grounded in everyday Filipino life and a look into a young girl’s discovery of her own identity.

Stand-In Love (2023)

Themes: Fake dating, friends-to-lovers
Release Date: April 28, 2023
Run-time: 19 minutes
Where To Watch: YouTube (ABS-CBN Entertainment Channel), iWantTFC

Stand-In Love is a playful short about fake dating that blossoms into real romance. The chemistry between its characters makes the story both fun and relatable. Directed by Crisanto Aquino, this is perfect for anyone who’s craving a quick dose of sapphic romance. It’s light, humorous, and filled with yearning.

Billie and Emma (2018)

Themes: Teen pregnancy, Catholic school, identity
Release Date: October 22, 2018 (QCinema International Film Festival)
Run-time: 1 hour and 47 minutes
Where To Watch: Apple TV, Tubi, iWantTFC

Another Samantha Lee classic, Billie and Emma, is set in a Catholic school where two teenagers navigate love, identity, and the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy. The film shows what happens when you put a rebellious transfer student and a model student together, creating sparks that challenge the norms of a restrictive environment. It is a wonderful story of two girls finding courage, resilience, and the transformative power of love.

Saan Ako Pinaglihi? (2024)

Themes: Same-sex parenting, childhood curiosity, self-discovery
Release Date: April 11, 2024 (Puregold CinePanalo Festival)
Run-time: 19 minutes
Where To Watch: YouTube (Official Puregold Channel)

Directed by Rod Singh, Saan Ako Pinaglihi? is another short film that centers on a child raised by two mothers, exploring identity through curiosity and innocence. The film expands sapphic narratives beyond romance, highlighting queer parenting and representation. Saan Ako Pinaglihi? reminds us that acceptance begins at home.

Si Mary May Crush kay Tess (2024)

Themes: Marites culture, teenage secrets, community
Release Date: May 2024
Run-time: 20 minutes
Where To Watch: YouTube (Official Puregold Channel)

Si Mary May Crush kay Tess is a short film directed by Joselito Altarejos that explores teenage crushes and the dynamics of community chismis—the typical Filipino “Marites” culture. The story follows Mary as she navigates her feelings under watchful eyes. Quick yet memorable, the film offers a snapshot of girlhood and the reassurance that to love is also to set yourself free.

From childhood crushes to late-blooming love, from short films to festival favorites, sapphic films tell their own story of becoming in the Philippine cinema. Rich in narratives that reflect vulnerability, honesty, and authenticity—queer women’s lives have always deserved their stories to be told with depth and care on the big screen. Get cozy and enjoy these timeless stories this Pride Month and beyond!

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