A SHORT film produced by a student at iACADEMY made it to the finals in a film competition of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The experimental film “Let Our Response Be” by Ruka Azuma was listed as a finalist in the Gawad CCP Para Sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video.

The film competition features the best works of Filipino filmmakers in the categories of animation, experimental, documentary, and short feature. Since its establishment in 1987, it is the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in Asia.

The eight-minute film explores the socio-political problems of the Philippines represented through the persona’s journey of escaping the mysteries in his mind.

‘“Let Our Response Be is my first work in the experimental type of film and thriller genre. It is a byproduct of all my sentiments during the last six months of the nationwide lockdown. What the audiences see, hear, and experience in the short film is the interpretation of my thoughts and opinion, triggered by physical and emotional dilemmas,” Azuma shared.

The 22-year-old Filipino-Japanese multidisciplinary artist  traces back his passion for freeflow, abstract, and heavy types of art to his childhood and culture. Aside from filmmaking, he also takes delight in content creation and digital design.

Azuma obtained his high school diploma at iACADEMY Senior High School and continues to pursue his studies under the iACADEMY’s Multimedia Arts and Design program.

“As a young writer and director, this was a bold, risky, and daring move to do – this type of short film. But if the youth would not start to move and take action, who else would? The purpose of “Let Our Response Be” is clear from the get-go: to be able to open the eyes and minds of people that we are in a never-ending loop of the things that we do not want to think and experience like how the persona is imprisoned by her mind, space, and thoughts,” Azuma said.

Jon Cuyson, Dean of the School of Design and the Arts, shared that students in iACADEMY are highly encouraged and fully supported to explore learning opportunities outside of the school. They are not only mentored by rockstar professors and industry experts to join competitions, but they are built to win and change the game.

“Ruka Azuma is the perfect example of our ideal MMA student at the School of Design and the Arts. He is a critical thinker, socially engaged, and a true creative problem solver.  These are attributes that we try to instill in all of our students here at SODA. He is a true game changer. We are very proud of his accomplishments and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Cuyson said.

“Let Our Response Be” and other finalists will be screened during the 17th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on August 6-September 5, 2021 at gawadalternatibo.org. Winners shall be announced at the awards ceremony during the festival period.