In 2023, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) matched this amount, bringing the total to ₱2,000,000 (US$40,000~).

[2] The organizing committee, headed by veteran Filipino director and actress Laurice Guillen, oversees the production of the films and the festival.

Each year, ten new filmmakers are given a seed grant in order to create their film.

Also an integral part of the festival is the Cinemalaya Campus, a conference that looks at all aspects of independent filmmaking and distribution.

The other ten feature-film entries competed under the New Breed section, and are presented by first-time or young filmmakers.