Directing

JL Burgos

Biography

JL Burgos is an independent filmmaker/visual artist based in the Philippines. The majority of his works center on human rights. His latest documentary, Alipato at Muog, won the Special Jury Prize at the Cinemalaya Film Festival XX. It also received the Best Picture and Best Director awards at the FAMAS Awards 2025 and Best Documentary, Best Editing, and Best Film at the Gawad Urian 2025. Before this, Burgos directed and produced two mid-length documentaries about press freedom and the right to self-determination – Portraits of Mosquito Press and Han-Ayan. Over the course of 20 years, Burgos has worked on short films, experimental videos, public service announcements, web series, and a TV show either as a director, cinematographer, editor, scriptwriter, producer, or a combination of roles.