'Sinepiyu 17: “Isigaw ang Puso”' awarded ‘Lily’ as Best Narrative Film which seeks to deconstruct the male gaze and illusion of control during the Awards Night at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Main Auditorium last May 9. 

The winning short film produced by The Yellow Bus Pictures also bagged Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and Best Actor for Karl Medina’s character as John, claiming five out of seven nominations.

Drawing from the director’s personal contemplations both as a man and a filmmaker, Lily is a self-critical film in which the director confronts his own beliefs and position in the world. 

Given the film’s sensitive focus on sex work, director Luke John Salazar approached it with vulnerability, undergoing self-assessment and conducting thorough research and consultations with scholars who are knowledgeable about the topic. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Salazar explained the artistic inspirations in creating Lily, crediting several artists and filmmakers. 

“I was inspired by the works of Krzysztof Kieślowski, Michelangelo Antonioni, Abbas Kiarostami, Michael Haneke, Gaspar Noe, Raymond Red, and Jasper Tan. So, I stole their movies and tried to make something new with them,” he stated.

In terms of the social issue his film aims to highlight, Salazar wanted to talk about human exploitation, particularly through the lens of art and relationships.

Moreover, The Yellow Bus Pictures director urged the audience to watch films with an open mind, allowing the stories to resonate with them.

“Watch a film. Engage with it deeply and open-mindedly. Let it consume you. Let it change you. And then watch another one again,” Salazar said. 

The student-filmmaker also expressed that winning several awards still feels surreal.

“It feels unreal. I’m still waiting for my alarm clock to ring,” he expressed. 

Other notable awards

Under the All Tamaraws Division, 'Humanay' by JAMBS won second Best Narrative Film and Best Screenplay, while 'GAWAD ULIRAN: The Rise to Superstardorm!' by Spaceshift Studios received third Best Film and Best Actress for internet sensation Arman Macasusi, also known as Arman Salon. 

The event under the All Tamaraws Division also recognized 'Da Rockstar \m/' by Project Horsemen and Cosmo Opus as Best Sound, 'Ang Embalsamador, Baliw, at Bangkay' by Uno Pelikula for Best Sound Design, and 'BARDO' by Braindead Society with the Special Jury Prize.

On the other hand, the Inter-School Category awarded 'Alingawngaw' by Astral Productions with Best Performance and Best Editing.

‘Ligaw’ by Ligaw Productions was given the Best Music and Best Production Design awards.

Other awardees include 'I'm Best Left Inside My Head' by Idiomatic Productions for Best Sound Design and 'Our One and Only Bab(oy)' by Project Baboy for Best Cinematography and Special Jury Prize. 

'A Crab from a Conch Shell' by 98px, YATU also earned the Special Jury Prize.

Under the Documentary Category, 'SHUTDOWN' by Arapap Creatives claimed Best Documentary Film, while 'INO' by DN PRODUCTIONS received an Honorable Mention.

Moreover, 'Genesis' by UP Cinema won Best Experimental Film. An Honorable Mention was also given to 'Himino ka gikan sa Yuta, ug sa Yuta ka puli (For we are made of Earth, and to Earth we will return)' by Bukaka Dekwatro under the Experimental Category. 

Sinepiyu is an annual premier film festival for fourth-year Communication Digital Cinema track students spearheaded by FEU Film Society.

- Kasharelle Javier
(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)