Calling All Story tellers
Now accepting submissions for the 2026 Sinebata Festival happening this October 2026
Know more about this year’s theme
Sinebata is a national competition of video works for, about and by children and the youth.
It is Anak TV’s effort to get young Filipinos to express themselves using technology that is at their fingertips. It encourages them to record their observations of their social and physical environment and articulate what they wish to happen with and about these circumstances.
Through Sinebata and Anak TV’s media education, child participation, child protection and tv literacy, Anak TV intends to make Pinoy kids more media savvy, but smart media consumers.
Sinebata is open to both the 1) professionals, and 2) and non-professionals including children
CATEGORIES FOR PROFESSIONAL
For the Professionals, the entry categories are in accordance with the age groups of their target audience.
A. Animation (Fiction or Factual)
– 7 years old and under
– 8 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
B. Live Action (Fiction)
– 7 years old and under
– 8 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
C. Live Action (Factual)
– 7 years old and under
– 8 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
CATEGORIES FOR NON PROFESSIONAL
For the Non Professionals, the entry categories must target any of the age categories specified below.
– 7 years old and under
– 8 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
A. Aspiring Video Makers
Animation or Live Action
Factual or Fiction
B. University Students
Animation or Live Action
Factual or Fiction
CATEGORIES FOR
CHILDREN
For Children Storytellers, the entry categories are based on their age as Video makers.
Animation
Factual or Fiction
– 7 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
Live Action
Factual or Fiction
– 7 to 12 years old
– 13 to 17 years old
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY
Who May Join?
- TV Network Producers affiliated with terrestrial, cable, DTH channels, or video-on-demand services
- Independent professional video makers whose works have been broadcast on television or licensed by a recognized commercial streaming platform during the eligibility period
- Personal YouTube channels or self-published digital platforms do not constitute professional broadcast affiliation
Eligibility
- Filipino citizen and residing in the Philippines.
- The submitted work must have been first broadcasted or officially released on television or a recognized commercial streaming platform within the defined eligibility period of the competition year (e.g. July 2026 to June 2027)
- The work must be produced in-house, commissioned, or co-produced by the entering organization
- In cases of co-production, the entering organization’s financial participation alone does not qualify; active creative involvement in the conception, production, or execution of the submitted work is required for eligibility in the festival.
Required Target Audience Declaration
- Children 7 years old and under
- Children 8–12 years old
- Children 13–17 years old
Submitted material are in accordance with the age groups of their target audience.
Accepted Formats
- Animation (Fiction or Factual)
- Live Action (Fiction)
- Live Action (Factual)
Duration Requirements
Minimum of 3 minutes, and maximum of 60 minutes.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
NON PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY
Who May Join?
A. Aspiring Video Makers
Independent content creators who:
- Are not affiliated with any television network, broadcast organization, or licensed streaming platform
- Must have not had any work commissioned, broadcast, or distributed by a television network or licensed streaming platform
- Whose work must not have previously won an international award for video production
- Affiliation includes employment, contractual engagement, or commissioned production arrangements.
Eligibility
- Only citizens of Southeast Asian countries may participate.
- Entrants must not be employed by, contracted with, or formally affiliated with a television network or licensed commercial streaming platform at the time of submission.
- A declaration of independent status must be submitted as part of the entry form.
Required Target Audience Declaration
- Children 7 years old and under
- Children 8–12 years old
- Children 13–17 years old
Entrants must specify one of the following age groups as target audience.
Accepted Formats
Animation or Live Action
(Factual or Fiction)
Duration Requirements
Minimum of 3 minutes, and maximum of 45 minutes
B. University Students
Students currently enrolled in:
- Universities
- Colleges
- Tertiary institutions
- Higher learning institutions
at the time of submission.
Eligibility
- Only citizens of Southeast Asian countries may participate.
- Proof of current enrollment (e.g., valid school identification card or official registration document) must be submitted.
- The submitted work must have been created primarily as part of the entrant’s academic or independent student work.
- Entries commissioned, broadcast, or distributed by a television network or licensed streaming platform are not eligible in this category.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
CHILDREN STORYTELLERS
Children Storytellers
Eligibility
- This category is open to young creators who are citizens of any Southeast Asian country.
- Entrants must belong to one of the following age groups at the time of submission:
– 12 years old and under
– 13 to 17 years old - Proof of age may be required upon request.
Creative Responsibility Requirement
Entrants must be responsible for at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the total creative process, including:
- Concept development
- Scriptwriting and/or storyboarding
- Direction
- Videography and/or animation
- Professional assistance in editing and post-production is permitted; however, the core creative decisions must remain child-led.
- Finalists may be required to submit a brief production statement explaining their role in the creation of the work.
Equipment
- The use of non-professional equipment, including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, or similar devices, is permitted.
Required Entrant Age Group
- Children 12 years old and under
- Children 13–17 years old
Accepted Formats
Animation (Factual or Fiction)
Live Action (Factual or Fiction)
Duration Requirements
Minimum of 3 minutes, and maximum of 5 minutes
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF SINEBATA?
Through the video works of the Filipino winners in Sinebata which will be shared with the children of Southeast Asia, through the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children, it is hoped that Southeast Asians can have a better appreciation of each other’s culture and good family traditions that will lead to mutual respect and the attainment of harmony and understanding in the region.
CRITERIA FOR JUDGING
Entries are evaluated using an official Scoring Rubric, which defines the criteria and corresponding point allocations.
A. PRESENTATION
Evaluation of technical and artistic execution, including:
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Visual composition
- Sound design and music
- Animation quality (if applicable)
- Overall production quality
Focus: How well was the work crafted?
B. CONTENT
Evaluation of the strength and quality of the idea and script, including:
- Originality and creativity
- Clarity of narrative structure
- Character development
- Dialogue quality
- Research depth (for factual works)
Focus: What is being told and how effectively?
C. CHILD SENSITIVITY & AGE APPROPRIATENESS
Considering the territory, culture, and age range for which the program is intended:
a. Is it appropriate and attractive for the target child audience?
b. Is it culturally relevant to the child-targeted?
c. Is it successfully entertaining for the child?
d. Does it inform children?
e. Does it respect children/take them seriously?
f. Is the subject well researched and developed that it is worth viewing by a child audience?
D. IMPACT
Evaluation of the work includes:
- Emotional resonance
- Social relevance
- Values conveyed
- Ability to inspire reflection, empathy, or positive action
Focus: What effect does it leave on young audiences?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can we submit video entries for the Sinebata Competition?
Step 1: Go to http://anaktv.ph/sinebata
Step 2: Click “Send Entries” to submit your entries.
Step 3: Fill out the form completely with the necessary details of the material.
Step 4: Click the submit button and wait for a receipt in your email.
Step 5: You can click the “submit again” button if you wish to submit another entry.
How can we join the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children that will be held in Indonesia in 2027?
he winners of the SineBata competition, a nationwide competition convened by Anak TV, will represent the Philippines at the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children (SEAVFC) to be held in Indonesia in 2027. For more information, please visit our website: SEAVFC Official Website
When is the deadline for submission?
You can submit your entries until June 31, 2026, 11:59 pm.
What are the categories that I can join?
Competition Categories
There are three (3) main entrant categories:
- Professional Category
- Non-Professional Category
- Children Storytellers
There are fifteen (15) categories
For Professionals
- Animation (Fiction or Factual) – 7 years old and under
- Animation (Fiction or Factual) – 8–12 years old
- Animation (Fiction or Factual) – 13–17 years old
- Live Action Fiction – 7 years old and under
- Live Action Fiction – 8–12 years old
- Live Action Fiction – 13–17 years old
- Live Action Factual – 7 years old and under
- Live Action Factual – 8–12 years old
- Live Action Factual – 13–17 years old
For Non Professionals
- Aspiring Video Makers
- University Student Video Makers
Children Storytellers
12. 12 years old and under – Animation (Fiction/Factual)
13. 13–17 years old – Animation (Fiction/Factual)
14. 12 years old and under – Live Action (Fiction/Factual)
15. 13–17 years old – Live Action (Fiction/Factual)
Is there a theme that we need to incorporate into our films?
Yes, all video makers who wish to submit their entries must adhere to this year’s theme, “The Magic of Peace”.
Is there a registration fee to join the competition?
No, joining the competition is absolutely free of charge. There are no entry or participation fees required.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes — You can submit as many entries as you want. Each entry must be submitted separately and must comply with the competition guidelines.
Who do I contact for more information?
You may contact us at secretariat@anaktv.ph or browse http://anaktv.ph/sinebata for further details.
© 2026 Sinebata Film Festival