UMak Reels

24/03/2026

30/01/2026

🎬 𝗜𝗔𝗗 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 🗣️🗣️🗣️

The Institute of Arts and Design (IAD) proudly honors our BMMA student filmmakers featured in ‘The Best of Filipino Short Films of 2025’ by Sinegang.ph.

Congratulations to Scintilla Films for their commended short film, “Daungan ng mga Naghihintay,” directed by Kaila Arvi Ariston.

The short film previously won a Special Citation for Best Documentary in the SINAG MAYNILA Student Documentary Category and 2nd Place in the Documentary Category at the 37th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video. It powerfully showcases the struggles of fishermen and their families amid maritime conflict and sovereignty issues, particularly China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

We warmly celebrate the outstanding achievements of our BMMA student filmmakers, whose dedication and creativity continue to stand out—especially at the national level.

Padayon, IAD filmmakers. May your passion for film bring fortune to cinema. 🎥

If there is a quick, surefire way to showcase the cinema of the Philippines, then look no further than our shorts. From this list alone you would be able to cover almost all of the regions in the country and the diverse cultures at play. But one thing unites them all: that these stories are distinctly and uniquely Filipino.

Here are the best Filipino short films of 2025: https://www.sinegang.ph/lists/best-filipino-shorts-of-2025-sgph

Pubmat by: Angelica Afan

20/08/2025

17/08/2025

CONGRATULATIONS BATCH 2025! 🎓✨

From clutching deadlines to stretching SDEs, our seniors have finally crossed the finish line and graduated! 🎉 What was once a month-long event has now become a lasting memory, a treasure to be cherished forever.

Words will never be enough to express our gratitude to the seniors who poured their time, energy, and commitment into UMak Reels 2025. Even while balancing their thesis capstone films and completing their internship hours, you still gave your best to make this event a success.

A huge thank you as well to our incredible production team, coming from different courses and even colleges for going above and beyond of what was expected. May your hard work continue to inspire and ignite the passion of our juniors.

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T DO BOTH? OBVIOUSLY, OUR SENIORS DID! ✊️ 💐

27/06/2025

Jury’s Statement for “Sa Simula ng Wala" | UNHCR 3rd Refugee Film Festival Awards

“For its unflinching and deeply human portrayal of individuals living without legal identity, this film stands as a masterwork of empathy and truth. Through intimate storytelling and creative testimony, it sheds light on a hidden population whose lives are shaped by abandonment, legal invisibility, and quiet resilience. With clarity, compassion, and cinematic grace, the film transcends the boundaries of documentary filmmaking. It not only informs, it moves. It not only reveals, it compels. By giving voice to those long unheard, this film becomes a powerful call for justice, dignity, and reform” - Atom Araullo, Award-winning Journalist, UNHCR Philippines Goodwill Ambassador

22/06/2025

PARA SA FOUNDLINGS ✊✨

"Sa Simula ng Wala" by Daghili Pictures has been awarded Best Festival Short Film at the 3rd Refugee Film Festival, hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR Philippines) on June 21 at San Beda University.

This powerful documentary follows the journey of an adult foundling in the Philippines as they navigate the struggle for legal identity and a true sense of belonging. Shedding light on the often-overlooked reality of undocumented individuals, the film powerfully captures the pursuit of recognition, citizenship, and dignity.

“Sa Simula ng Wala” honors the stories and lives of adult foundlings—serving as a call for justice, inclusion, and systemic change in the country.

Congratulations to our talented student filmmakers for giving voice to the unheard. May your storytelling continue to spark dialogue and inspire action.

The production extends its warmest appreciation to: Mama Issa De Guzman Tica, Julie Anne Magleo Mariano, Rizaldy Mariano and with the guidance of Atty. Eduard Riparip for making the film possible. 💗

Daghili Pictures ♣️

Cajuday, Amariah
Carelo, Ysamae Yrrah
Castillo, Pauline Nicole
De Dios, Maria Cris
Factes, Edward John Louis
Trajano, Jefford Leigh
Segaya, Jaklyn Marie

20/06/2025

🎉 Congratulations to the talented student filmmakers of U.HAP! from the University of Makati for winning 3rd Place in the 2025 Class Project Inter-collegiate Mini Documentary Competition! 👏🎬

Their documentary, “U.HAP!”, dives deep into the efforts to preserve the Ayta Magbukun language, an endangered indigenous language in Bataan. A powerful story on culture, identity, and resilience, this film deserves your watch. 🗣️🌱

📺 Watch “U.HAP” and other winning entries on the Knowledge Channel YouTube Channel:
https://youtube.com/KnowledgeChannel

Let’s celebrate stories that matter.✨

The Magbukun language of the Ayta Magbukun people in Bataan, spoken by only 764 households, was deemed endangered by UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages ...

20/06/2025

🎉 Congratulations to the student filmmakers from the University of Makati for making it to the Top 8 of the Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition! 🎬🌊

Their documentary DALUYONG takes us deep into the lives of coastal communities reeling from the aftermath of three major oil spills in Manila Bay. As fisherfolk fight to rebuild, the film unpacks the environmental destruction, community resistance, and the shadowy forces surrounding the disaster. 🔍⚠️

💻 Watch DALUYONG and the rest of the winning entries now on the Knowledge Channel YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/KnowledgeChannel

Support student storytellers who are making waves for truth and change. 🧡

In the wake of three devastating oil spills in Manila Bay, coastal communities struggle to rebuild their lives. As fisherfolk face an uncertain future, tensi...

19/06/2025

🌟 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP 5 FINALISTS 🎬

We’re excited to share the Top 5 short films of the 3rd Refugee Film Festival Short Film Competition—listed in alphabetical order. 🌟

🏆 Catch the free screening of these Top 5 films on Saturday, June 21 at San Beda University Manila—and find out which films will be awarded the Top 3 spots!

With the theme "Strengthening Spaces of Resilience and Hope," these incredible works capture the spirit of solidarity, inclusion, and courage. They are a powerful testament to the youth’s creativity and passion for sharing stories that uplift the voices of those too often unheard.

🎥 Huge thanks to everyone who submitted their entries and shared their talents! Your voices are powerful, and your work is an inspiration to us all. 💙 Let’s keep telling stories that build bridges and spark change. See you on Saturday!

14/06/2025

Congratulations to our 4th Year BMMA students for making it on the Top 10 Short Film Entries for the 3rd Refugee Film Festival Short Film Competition.

Let's support our filmmakers on their journey, make sure to leave a 👍 or ❤️ react on their short film entry! 🎬

📣 Announcing the Top 10 Short Film Entries! 🎬

We’re proud and grateful to announce the Top 10 short film entries of the 3rd Refugee Film Festival Short Film Competition!

Watching all the submissions filled us with joy and admiration. Each film was a unique, creative take on this year’s theme: “Strengthening Spaces of Resilience and Hope.” Huge thanks to every team that shared their story. Your voices matter.

Now it’s your turn to be part of the journey!

Part of the total score will come from social media votes, so make sure to leave a 👍 or ❤️ react on the short film entry you want to support!

🎬 The Top 5 films will be revealed in just a few days!
🎟️ Reserve your slot now to catch the screening of the Top 5 films on 21 June: https://www.unhcr.org/ph/refugeefilmfestival

Voting and registration close on 17 June, 11:59 PM.

30/05/2025

THANK YOU, UMAK REELS '25 COMMITTEE! 💐✨

To our dynamic and loud event committee, you are the star that made this event shine and come alive! Each volunteer dedicated their time, effort, and commitment to accomplishing impossible tasks in each event. Be proud of what you have all achieved, UMAK REELS 2025 is a memory worth cherishing forever! 💗

MAKING OUR MOVE, ONE REEL AT A TIME 🎬