Wazzup Pilipinas?!
Two student films from Far Eastern University have been officially selected to the 16th BINISAYA International Film Festival. This follows their respective premieres in the All Tamaraws Division of Sinepiyu XVIII: DIWA “Mula sa Lente ng Katauhan” last May.
“Ani” and “Where the Cave Ends” are now part of the growing list of short films from the FEU Department of Communication which made it to film festivals outside the university.
The BINISAYA Film Festival, scheduled to take place in Cebu City from August 16 to 23, continues its long-standing tradition of showcasing independent stories free from commercial constraints.
Both films will screen under the festival’s BINISAYA Horizons category, a section specifically dedicated to non-Cebuano works from across the Philippines.
Written and directed by Ayessa Tan and produced under Braindead Kidz Productions, “Ani” sets its story against the backdrop of an alternate reality. The narrative centers on a struggling farmer who finds his personal morals pushed to the limit when an influential trader manipulates him into turning against his fellow farmers.
The film recently brought home several awards at Sinepiyu XVIII, including 3rd Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Supporting Actor for Vic Romano as Iko.
Tan shared that reaching this platform is more than just a creative victory for her team. Reflecting on the film's recognition, she shared that it stands as a deeply personal homage to her mother.
Meanwhile, “Where the Cave Ends” dives into an atmospheric, high-stakes investigation. Written and directed by Nix Vergara and produced by Precious Vargas for Sineninix. with Shepherd Pictures, Salinsining, Project V Media, and P.tik Bulag Films, the plot follows Jim (played by Andre Miguel), a journalist who ventures deep into a cave to uncover the truth about a local Babaylan.
The media points to the figure as the main culprit behind a military colonel’s sudden disappearance in the region. As Jim navigates the shadows, his search leads him toward a truth far more transformative than he anticipated.
Joining Miguel are Karl Medina as Natoy, Rachel Du as Leia, and MJ Managuelod, Serena Magiliw, and Jacq Nacu-Garcia as the Babaylan.
Established in 2009 by a collective of local filmmakers, BINISAYA serves as a crucial platform for regional storytelling, dynamic discussions, and independent global cinema.
By bringing together voices from across the archipelago, this year’s edition continues to highlight how student filmmaking bridges local perspectives with broader national audiences.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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