A STUDENT from the University of the East has earned international recognition after his experimental film advanced as a finalist in a major media arts festival in Germany.

Dave Ivo Brielle T. Oro, a BS Fine Arts in Visual Communication student, saw his film Kinulayang Ngiti selected for the 39th Stuttgarter Filmwinter: Festival for Expanded Media, held from January 13 to 21, 2026.

The film, which also had its world premiere at the festival, was developed as Oro’s final project under the mentorship of filmmaker and UE College of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design professor Richard Soriano Legaspi.

Through unconventional visuals and narrative form, the work critically examines electoral imagery and political spectacle, reflecting public fatigue over unfulfilled promises and recurring disillusionment with leadership.

Stuttgarter Filmwinter is known globally for showcasing experimental and avant-garde cinema—a platform that aligns with UE’s Visual Communication program, which has maintained a decade-long presence in international student film competitions.

Oro has also represented UE in other festivals, including CineMapúa 2025 and international screenings in India, further highlighting his growing profile as an emerging filmmaker exploring socio-political themes through visual storytelling.