VISION Mentees Take Their Films to Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo

For the VISION Creative Unit, seeing its mentees’ films screened at two of the country’s respected independent film festivals was more than a celebration of awards. It was an opportunity to witness young filmmakers take their place in the wider Philippine film community.

This year, VISION mentees brought their work to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and the Gawad Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video (Gawad Alternatibo).

Their presence allowed them to watch films from fellow Filipino filmmakers, and encounter industry professionals and established filmmakers throughout the festival.

At Cinemalaya 2026, RUNO! Studios, led by co-directors Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Pateña, marked a milestone as the first iACADEMY students to compete at the festival. Their silent animated short RUNO! received the Best Screenplay award in the Short Film category, recognizing its storytelling and creative execution without dialogue.

The experience continued at Gawad Alternatibo, where VISION mentees Jam Lising and Rev Bate, alongside classmates Faith Amaro and Charlize Luspo of Dead Horse Productions, presented Bangungot and One Year Anniversary. Bangungot earned 1st Place in the Animation category.

Established as a creative group of iACADEMY students, VISION provides selected mentees a space to incubate projects, mentorship, and direct exposure to creative professionals. The unit helps students develop original concepts, strengthen their craft, and bring their ideas beyond the classroom and into the creative industry. 

“Learning four of the VISION mentees made it to this year’s Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo, simultaneously held at EDSA Shangri-La—brought a feeling of elation,” Sicat shared. “Their winning awards for their respective films reinforced what we already knew about these talented students and brought a deep sense of pride in seeing how they were welcomed by the film community.”

For VISION, the festival experience reinforces that filmmaking extends beyond the classroom, giving young creators the opportunity to engage with the industry, discover the breadth of Philippine cinema, and begin establishing their place within the creative community.