UNHCR PH honors young filmmakers at 3rd Refugee Film Festival

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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Philippines recently hosted the 3rd Refugee Film Festival at the Abbot Lopez Hall in San Beda University-Manila, with a compelling showcase of youth-led films based on the theme “Strengthening Spaces of Resilience and Hope.”

From a competitive pool of 39 entries submitted by young filmmakers across the country, “Sa Simula ng Wala” by Daghili Pictures (University of Makati) topped the short film competition; “Wala’y Dagat Dinhi” by Pelikulang Daluyong (Laguna University) placed second; and “Akong Paboritong Pastil” by Duwende Films (Davao) bagged third prize.

The short documentary “Sa Simula ng Wala” follows the journey of an adult foundling in the Philippines, shedding light on the challenges faced by undocumented individuals in their pursuit of legal identity and belonging. Directors Edward John Louis Factes and Ysamae Yrrah Carelo collaborated with their fellow 4th year Bachelor of Multimedia Arts students from UMak’s Institute of Arts and Design, Amariah Cajuday, Pauline Nicole Castillo, Maria Cris De Dios, Jefford Leigh Trajano, and Jaklyn Marie Segaya, with the guidance of Prof. Eduard Riparip.

Second placer “Wala’y Dagat Dinhi,” directed by Ken Bryan Delizo in collaboration with BA Communication students from Laguna University, explores the struggles of internally displaced persons.

Third prize winner “Akong Paboritong Pastil,” directed by Ingrid Silfverberg and co-produced by fellow filmmaker Franky Arrocena, highlights themes of displacement, culture, and identity.

The festival opened with a screening of “We Dare to Dream,” a documentary by Waad Al-Kateab about refugee athletes training for the Olympics. It was followed by “Peace by Chocolate,” a Canadian film based on the true story of a Syrian family rebuilding their lives in Nova Scotia, and engaging talkback sessions with refugees, professors, and advocates.

The event, which was held in celebration of World Refugee Day, concluded with the short film competition showcasing powerful entries from Filipino youth.

The panel of judges included Atom Araullo, broadcast journalist and UNHCR Philippines Goodwill Ambassador; Ditsi Carolino, award-winning documentary filmmaker; Prof. Gregorio Borja III, Chairperson of the Department of Marketing Management, San Beda University-Manila; State Counsel Angelica Rose Dimalanta, Department of Justice-Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit; and Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, Head of National Office, UNHCR Philippines.

UNHCR Philippines collaborated with the DOJ-RSPPU, Pathways Pilipinas, San Beda University-Manila, and Uniqlo Philippines to make the event possible. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for forcibly displaced communities worldwide.