Balangay Film – Mga Kwento ng Klima Short Films 2024

Overview

The Mga Kwento ng Klima Short Films is a competition for independent and professional filmmakers launched by the Oscar M. Lopez Center in 2022 which aims to capture the unique Filipino experience of climate change, and more importantly, convey the need for urgent climate action.

This initiative is part of the Center’s Balangay Project, which aims to engage a broader network in the discussion on climate change to enable collective action.

For the MKK Shorts 2024, the Center partners with the GIZ Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Objectives

The MKK Shorts 2024 targets to increase awareness and documentation of the impacts of climate change in the country through a short film competition that encourages the generation, visualization and documentation of lived experiences of local climate realities.

Project Design and Methods

Entry Requirements & Preliminary Screening

To join the competition, interested filmmakers must submit a film pitch deck that will result in a 5-minute film that has the following specifications:

• Live-action film in narrative format;
• Film may be in any of the following genres: drama, comedy, musical, action, suspense, historical or science fiction. Documentary and animated films will not be accepted;
• Film narrative must have a strong climate lens. Narratives may address climate change impacts and risks, such as on local communities, agriculture and fisheries, forestry, biodiversity, health, freshwater resources, ecosystems, and sustainable development, among others.
  
  Narratives on the environment, biodiversity, and other similar topics with no climate lens will not be accepted.

Production Seed Grant

The MKK Shorts 2024 aims to provide increased funding to participating filmmakers to help cover a range of film production costs–from pre-production to post-production. 

Preliminary Screening

All submitted film pitch decks will undergo preliminary screening by a panel composed of the OML Center, film consultant, and partner representatives. The screening will be evaluated based on the climate lens, story concept, director’s vision, and proposed creative approach. 

The Top 15 pitch decks will qualify for the MKK Shorts 2024 and will receive a Production Seed Fund of Php 30,000.00.

The Top 15 will be required to attend the General Assembly and the Climate Film Labs.

Second Screening

After the Climate Film Labs, the Top 15 participants will submit their final film entries. From these, the Top 10, selected for their technical excellence and strong climate storytelling, will advance to the final judging and awarding ceremony.

All Top 10 films shall receive an additional P70,000.

Note: The release of each grant is scheduled to be given after the final results of each screening or the two-tier review.

General Assembly and Climate Film Labs

General Assembly

All qualifying participants of the MKK Short Films were invited to attend a General Assembly (GA) organized by the Oscar M. Lopez Center in collaboration with other partners.

The GA placed equal focus on the power of visual storytelling to drive societal change and on the completion of pre-film production processes and documentation (e.g., co-ownership agreement, release of production seed grant).

Alongside an inspirational talk, the session also included the rationale behind the competition, detailed mechanics, submission requirements, judging process, an introduction to the Climate Film Labs, and the significance of the Co-Ownership Agreement.

Climate Film Labs

The Climate Film Labs (CFL) is a workshop-type laboratory that provides filmmakers with the opportunity to be matched with resource persons and mentors who can aid them in climate science, storytelling, and filmmaking.

For MKK Short Films 2024, participating independent and professional filmmakers were provided with tailored modules. These focused on matching them with climate science mentors to refine the climate aspects of their stories, experienced storytellers to guide science-based narratives, technical experts in mobile filmmaking, and professionals who offered insights on audience engagement and film distribution.

CFL modules were delivered through both plenary sessions and one-on-one mentoring formats.

Plenary sessions featured resource persons who presented key topics followed by open Q&A segments. After each talk, participants had the chance to consult with speakers in breakout sessions to further develop their story ideas and film plans.

The mentoring sessions provided more personalized feedback, connecting each participating team with pre-assigned Science and Film mentors. These mentors assessed story drafts, offered critiques, and recommended ways to improve the films’ storytelling and impact.

After a thorough review of all 76 pitches submitted for the MKK Shorts 2024, the following 15 film pitches—listed alphabetically—qualified for the Climate Film Labs. Each received a production seed grant of Php 30,000:

• ‘33 Questions with Nadine’ by Ciete Cinco Creatives
• ‘Ambergris’ by Rush Productions
• ‘Ang Init sa Pinas’ by Renaissance Pictures
• ‘Behind the Scenes’ by Bulalakaw Productions
• ‘Danas’ by Floor 06 Films
• ‘Gadya Sang Suba (River Monsters)’ by DDC Films
• ‘Handom sa Natugbong nga Yuta (Memories of the Collapsed Land)’ by SILAKBO
• ‘Kahit Aswang Nahihirapan’ by Dinas Republic
• ‘Kapangopra sa Ing’d’ by Crescent Productions
• ‘Kataw’ by Kuyawards Production
• ‘Pnigeke Apo To Parelthon (Πνίγηκε Από Το Παρελθόν / Drowned by the Past)’ by CPelikula Productions
• ‘Pamanahon’ by The OA
• ‘Prince of Tides’ by SILAKBO
• ‘The Powerless’ by Paralaya Films
• ‘Water for Three Sisters’ by Hello Sunrise

More information about the Top 15 pitches here.

The Climate Film Labs wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our mentors:

Science Mentors:

• Dr. Maricel Villamayor, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños,
• Dr. Jude Lo, National Institutes of Health University of the Philippines Manila
• Ms. Mary Anne Lustresano, National Institutes of Health University of the Philippines Manila
• Ms. Kiarah Florendo, National Institutes of Health University of the Philippines Manila  
• Mr. Richard Antonio, South-South Collaboration for Climate Information and Services Project, GIZ Philippines

Film Mentors:

• Direk Carlo Obispo, Writer, Director, and Producer
• Direk She Andes, Film Director and Producer
• Direk Kip Oebanda, Film Director, Writer, and Actor
• Direk Ralston Jover, Director and Writer
• Direk Zig Dulay, Director and Writer
• Honee Alipio, Screenwriter

Film Submission and Awarding

After completing the climate film labs, all 15 qualifying teams were given two (2) months to produce their short films. Prizes were awarded to the top film and selected finalists during the awarding ceremony.

The organizers were joined by a distinguished panel of judges from both the film industry and the scientific community to evaluate the final submissions. Judging criteria included the use of a climate lens, story concept, direction, screenplay, cinematography, production design, editing, and musical scoring.

The MKK Shorts 2024 finalists were evaluated by the following esteemed panel of climate and film experts:

• Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz – Board Member, Oscar M. Lopez Center
• Dr. Rodel D. Lasco – Executive Director, Oscar M. Lopez Center
• Mr. Nick De Ocampo – Award-winning documentary filmmaker and film historian
• Mr. Jimmy Loro – Chief Advisor, GIZ South-South Collaboration on Climate Information and Services Project
• Ms. Rica Arevalo – Head, Education Division, Film Development Council of the Philippines
• Mr. Butch Ibanez – Head, National Committee on Cinema, National Commission for Culture & the Arts

Prizes

On top of the seed grants, the MKK Shorts 2024 awarded cash prizes to the Top 3 films of the competition during the awarding ceremony:

• Best Film – Php 100,000
• 2nd Placer – Php 70,000
• 3rd Placer – Php 50,000

The following Special Awards were also given, with each recipient receiving Php 10,000:

• Best Director 
• Best Editing 
• Best Performance
• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematography 
• Best Production Design 
• Best Musical Scoring and Sound Design 
• Audience Choice Award

Top 9 Films

Kataw by 8thumbs Video and Post Production
Awards: Best Film, Special Jury Award for Cinematic Lens, Best Editing

Teaser

In a dystopian future, in the Philippine archipelago that is mostly submerged in seawater, a Mother-doctor, along with other experts comes up with an unconventional solution to save the future Filipino generation. An operation that to some is a medical farce. An extremely risky procedure that will turn children into the likeness of a Visayan mythical creature – the Kataw. Despite the risk, she is driven by dire circumstances to do it on her own child. As the operation day arrives, the Mother-Doctor must make the hardest decision. Will she take the risk and give her child a chance at survival or will she choose to keep her child with her in the sinking world?

Ang Gadya Sang Suba by DDC Films
Awards: Second Place, Special Jury Award for Climate Lens, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Director, Best Child Performance, Audience Choice Award

Teaser

In a rural area of Western Visayas, three friends set out on a quest to the river’s end to confront the monster that haunts their village and claims lives in an enchanted river. It all begins with Ding, the protagonist, who treasures the story passed down by his grandmother about this fearsome creature and how to defeat it. As their adventure unfolds, they uncover a more familiar enemy.

Quick Questions with the Queen by Ciete Cinco Creatives
Awards: Third Place, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Performance

Teaser

Set in the year 2121, Chase, a celebrity-turned-beauty queen, answers rapid-fire questions inside her luxurious residence for this year’s episode of Quick Questions with the Queen. As she responds to lighthearted questions about fashion and lifestyle, her answers expose the environmental collapse beneath her home. As the interviewer’s questions grow more probing, Chase’s polished facade begins to crack, revealing the chilling effects of privilege in a world on the brink of climate impacts.

Handom sa Natugbong Nga Yuta by SILAKBO
Finalist

Teaser

The story of a soil scientist from Visayas State University named Vincent, who pays a visit around the area, set from a vantage point of what was once a lively and vivid community of Barangay Bunga, Baybay City, Leyte and is now buried under due to the sudden collapse of a landslide as the aftereffects of the onslaught of Typhoon Agaton. Among the survivors is Peter, a college student who frequently returns to the area, struggling to reconnect with reality after losing his family in the disaster. Vincent’s visit brings him face-to-face with his old friend Shan, a skeptical person who always argues with Vincent. In pursuit not only of his research and observation, the story starts to unravel Vincent’s deeper reason for his visits, that echoes his regrets and grief of the tragedy — a desperate persuasion to a lost friend.

Kahit Aswang Nahihirapan by Dinas Republic
Finalist

Teaser

Ava, a modern aswang, has committed to a life free from human prey, sustaining herself on animal meat instead. However, the relentless heatwaves and prolonged drought brought on by climate change have led to dying animals and withering crops. The scarcity of food resources takes a toll on Ava. Desperate to avoid reverting to her predatory nature, Ava goes off-grid, hoping to find wild animals in a forest where foliage still clings to life. There, she meets Josie, a farmer who, driven by the same scarcity, has turned from farming to hunting for profit and sustenance. Josie reaches out to Ava, connecting over their shared struggles with the impact of the drought. Later when they part ways, Ava hears Josie’s desperate call for help. She must confront her deepest instincts and make a choice that could redefine her humanity—or destroy it.

Kapangopra sa Ing’d by Crescent Productions
Finalist

Teaser

In the rural village of Ing’d, under the harsh sun and parched land of Mindanao, the story of Urak, a determined young boy, unfolds. Born into a family whose survival hinges on the labor-intensive practice of copra-burning and charcoal-making, Urak dreams beyond the smoke-filled skies of his village. Though his parents expect him to follow in their footsteps, Urak clings to his worn books, hoping to one day break the cycle and earn an education.

Pamanahon by The OA Production
Finalist

Teaser

In a coastal village in the Philippines, a fishing family struggles as climate change affects their way of life, with rising sea levels, unpredictable weather, and fewer fish. Despite these challenges, the mother stays hopeful because they are next in line to inherit a rare, ancient plant passed down through generations. This plant, seen as a good luck charm, represents strength and hope. Families have gathered around it in hard times, finding comfort and believing it gives them protection, shields them from bad luck, and brings prosperity. To keep the plant alive, they must follow certain rules, as their luck depends on the plant’s health.

Pnigeke Apo To Parelthon by CPelikula Productions
Finalist

Teaser

In a spacious classroom, Ms. Canlas, a calm and collected 15-year-old teacher in a small frame, teaches a class of unruly middle-aged students, clad in crisp private school uniforms, about the danger of rising sea levels demonstrated with a miniature city model and a ruler. As Ms. Canlas teaches, she steps on an opened water bottle spilling water. She questions her class, but most of them are unresponsive. She tries to leave the room to get a helper to clean it but when she tries to open the door, the doorknob seems to jam. Leaving her no choice but to leave the wet spot on the floor as it is.

Prince of Tides by SILAKBO
Finalist

Teaser

In a remote fishing village caught between myth and reality, young Kiko recounts a tale passed down through generations: the story of the prince of tides who once lent a piece of the sea to the fishermen, granting them a land of their own. But over time, as the people neglected and abused what they were given, the prince began reclaiming it, inch by inch, wave by wave, and even taking lives along the way. As the story shifts from stop-motion animation to live action, we join Kiko and his grandfather Caloy on a quiet boat ride, the last they’ll take together before Kiko’s family is forced to leave. Kiko confesses his fears and doubts about leaving the only home he has ever known. Caloy, filled with wisdom and sorrow, listens as his grandson dreams of a life where he is strong enough to fight the prince of tides, where he could reclaim what was lost—including his late grandmother.

Film Promotion, Distribution & Ownership

The OML Center will support the promotion, non-exclusive distribution, and showing of all finalists (up to ten) after the conclusion of the competition.

The Center will also collaborate with FDCP’s Cinematheque Centres for on-site screenings and will continue to accommodate requests for film screenings or non-commercial use of the films for relevant programs and activities.

Participating production teams will also be strongly encouraged to host film screenings in their localities following the competition. Logistical support may be provided by OML Center and its partners.

Intellectual property rights shall be co-owned by the filmmakers with the OML Center.

The OML Center shall have royalty-free rights to use, disclose, and publicly display the entries for information, education, and communication (IEC) purposes, provided that such uses shall have no commercial gain for the OML Center.

The OML Center shall have royalty-free rights to use, disclose, and publicly display the entries for information, education, and communication (IEC) purposes, provided that such uses shall have no commercial gain for the OML Center. Partners will also be provided with a one-year (renewable) license to use the films for non-commercial and IEC purposes.