MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 — Ten (10) projects have been selected as finalists of the CineIskool Short Film Lab and Festival and will each receive a PHP 125,000 grant (PHP 100,000 for production costs and PHP 25,000 for safe filming protocols) to be used for the production of their respective short films. 

Organized by the Film Development Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and its attached agency, the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST),  CineIskool aims to produce and exhibit films with diverse stories that highlights the significance and benefit of tertiary education to encourage the youth to take advantage of the different education assistance programs by the government. 

After the Call for Entries in October 2021, the selection committee composed of filmmakers Arjanmar Rebeta and Madonna Tarrayo, UniFAST Advocacy, Promotions and Career Guidance Division Head Precila A. Chan, and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño selected ten finalists out of a pool of entries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The application was open to beneficiaries of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931 programs. 

“In this time and age, we must utilize the tools that are available to either discover a new skill or further master it. Through this film project, we believe that a visual showcase of diverse voices on the importance of tertiary education will inspire the youth to push for their goals and dream big. Many thanks to CHED and UniFAST for this partnership, we are excited to see these projects come into life,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Diño.

The participants will undergo online intensive film labs, covering topics on production management, story development, technical, safe filming, and editing, to be mentored by award-winning filmmakers and producers in the industry. After the film labs, the ten projects will be showcased through a film festival. 

For more information and updates, follow FDCP’s official page on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The 10 Official Finalists of CineIskool Short Film Lab and Festival: 

A Million Worth Degree by Mary Franz D.R. Salazar

An underprivileged aspiring artist chooses to take on a million-worth art degree program to fulfill her ambition. 

Disesyete by Sheena Grace A. Torres

Pregnant at the age of 17, teenage mother Sheena juggles school and work while raising her son. 

Jeremiah 29:11 by Caren D. Ubat

The story revolves around a hard-working female student who realizes that poverty is not a hindrance to finish her studies. 

Kóro kan Saldáng (Chorus of the Sun) by Xavier Axl B. Roncesvalles

Presented through spoken poetry and montage, this semi-autobiographical narrative and documentary focuses on the ruminations of a college student reflecting on his status of being a Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act beneficiary. 

Langyaw (Dayo) by Jayve T. Cabañero

Forced to become independent at the age of 15, 23-year-old working student Annel becomes a TES grantee that changes the course of his life for the better. 

Lapis Akong Naghihintay Ng Pantasa by Gerald S. Pesigan

When an out-of-school youth who works at a factory reaches the end of his contract, he is welcomed by a choice which can either maintain or improve his life.

Liwanag by Crisol M. Bajado

Raised in poverty, the lives of three young siblings change after their sister Alexa receives a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) scholarship.

Napulo Ka Tuig (10 Years) by John Paul C. Corton

Envious of his high school batchmates graduating college, a drop-out college student returns to college and applies for a scholarship, and then later finds out he’s not on the list of scholars.  

Pagbangon: A Movie Documentary by Belinda T. Petravicius

Based on the true story of a 36-year-old dedicated mother Billie, who gave up on her dreams and worked overseas to provide for her kids.

Palhi by John Angelo A. Arroyo

A person with disability fights his silent battles as he faces the cruelty of life. With tertiary education, he was able to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist amidst all the adversities.