A short film on the climate crisis, produced by a Mass Communication senior student from Silliman University, won the Peter’s Prize for Film in 2021, and was recognized at this year’s Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival.
Francis Ryan Pabiania’s Paghibi sang Langit, a three-minute silent short film inspired by the art of “community film-making”.
Among the films due for screening during the Haw-as Film Festival in Dumangas, Iloilo included Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa, a finalist of Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition of the Film Development Council of the Philippines directed by Peter Nery; Tara Illenberger’s High Tide, a film on how mangroves save coastal-dwelling Filipinos, that won the Best Picture at the 2nd ToFarm Film Festival; Leonard Ian Billones’ Itom nga Bugas, Kanaryo nga Ugat which won the Best Screenplay at the Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video.
Nery, who came home to the Philippines to award the medallion to Pabiania, is himself an award-winning poet, fictionist, author, who won another Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature this year. He was inducted into the Palanca Awards Hall of Fame in 2012.
The film Paghibi sang Langit focused on the impacts of the climate crisis, and the aftermath of a flood, and used experimental and impressionistic methods to convey the story.
It was recently screened in the Montañosa Film Festival in Baguio City, and was a finalist for the 3 Shots Film Festival 2021, where it was the only entry from the Visayas.
Through his organization, Kuris Project, Pabiania created short films utilizing the talents, locations, and stories of Isabela, Negros Occidental, his hometown.
Kuris Project aims to support locals by imparting their stories, uplifting local artists, and helping in conveying the stories of the community.
Pabiania said his film was inspired by the art of community filmmaking. The film involved volunteers and first-time film talents, and was produced with below- minimum budget.
“Still, we are happy we were able to share the story from Isabela, and were provided with a platform for local artists to showcase their crafts, even in a time of pandemic,” Pabiania said. (PR)
