Young Filipino filmmakers focus lens on climate change awareness in 6th Indie-Siyensya Film Festival

Engaging the youth with talks on climate change can sometimes be daunting and boring. But not for the hundreds of young filmmakers and storytellers who dared to change this narrative as they joined the 6th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

The competition received an overwhelming response of about 267 short films from all over the Philippines, all relevant to this year’s theme “Communicating Climate Change.”

Short documentary films effectively captured in motion the consequences of climate change and highlighting actions taken by the community to solve it. While explainer videos creatively tackle diverse topics such as climate resiliency, biodiversity conservation, and effects of climate change in everyday life.

Ten short films emerged to become the top finalists of the competition, as screened by Indie-Siyensya board of judges composed of esteemed filmmakers and science experts. Documentary films and explainer videos were judged by the following criteria: scientific content, execution of idea and the use of film techniques.

Below are the finalists for the Open Category:

1. Banta – Ranjee Javier B. Basquiñas (Oro Site High School)
2. Climacts – Kyle Carlo C. Lasala (Evolutionary Pictures)
3. K5: Katutubong Kahoy Kontra Krisis sa Klima – Celine R. Murillo
4. Kamalayan – Jerson Paul C. Malupa (Sempre Films)
5. Marka ng Pawikan – Humphrey Mark Gian Francesco L. Torcuator (Far Eastern University Manila)

Below are the finalists for the Youth Category:

1. 3C’s: Communicating Climate Change – Carlos Miguel P. Enriquez (Luis Palad Integrated High School)
2. Earth’s Trial: Debunking Climate Change Myths – Glenn John T. Degamon (Science and Technology Education Center)
3. Marvels of Science: Climate Change – Frances Sophia D. Flores (De La Salle University – Integrated School Manila and Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School
4. Sirak – Charles Joshua T. Uy (Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus)
5. Tanaw Juan – Yashmen A. Gerez (Quezon Science High School)

The shortlisted films will premiere simultaneously at the Cinematheque Centre Manila, Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan, Cinematheque Centre Davao, and Cinematheque Centre Negros on January 21-22. Meanwhile, Cinematheque Centre Iloilo will follow with the screening on January 26-27. The free screening is made possible in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

For its sixth run, Indie-Siyensya will also be available on JuanFlix from January 28 – February 5. JuanFlix, formerly known as the FDCP channel is an online streaming platform featuring classic Filipino films and special selections from recently conducted local film festivals. Viewers must register at juanflix.com.ph to watch the entries for free.

Indie-Siyensya is one of the first science filmmaking competition in the Philippines, pioneered by DOST-SEI to promote science and technology culture among the youth and the public using film as a medium. It has two categories – the Open Category for college students, teachers, and S&T professionals at least 19 years old and the Youth Category for high school, tertiary school, and out-of-school youth aged 13-18.

Winners for both categories will receive P100,000 for the Best Film, P50,000 for the 2^nd place and P20,000 for the 3^rd place. The Awarding Ceremony is scheduled on February 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.