Three Far Eastern University Department of Communication student films are heading to De La Salle University Manila for the second Film Education Convention of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
The two-day convention, held as part of the Philippine Film Industry Month 2026 celebration, runs from September 25 to 26 at the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Building on Taft Avenue, gathering educators, student filmmakers, and industry leaders.
Among the featured works in FilmEC’s Spotlight on Student Shorts program are FEU’s “Where the Cave Ends,” “Kahel,” and “Ani.”
The event kicks off its student showcases on Friday, September 25, at Room A1403, 14th floor of the said building. Two FEU short films will take center stage during the 4:00-5:30 p.m. block.
Directed by Nix Vergara and produced by Sineninix. with Shepherd Pictures, Salinsining, Project V Media, and P.tik Bulag Films, “Where the Cave Ends” follows Jim (Andre Miguel), a journalist who ventures deep into a cave in search of the truth regarding a local Babaylan accused of causing a military colonel’s disappearance.
Vergara’s film previously represented FEU at the 16th Binisaya International Film Festival in Cebu and will next compete at the Sine Sampaloc Film Festival 2026 in Quezon Province.
Meanwhile, “Kahel,” directed by Garnet Morilla Llames under the production team Kuwerdas, tells the story of Elias (Justin Abalos), a 9-to-5 worker who leaves his job to pursue music in the city, only to end up stranded in a broken-down jeepney with his musical hero (Brylle Parzuelo).
The musical film won major awards at FEU’s Sinepiyu XVIII, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, and Best Music/Score, and was selected as a finalist at the 38th Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad Alternatibo last August and the FAMAS Short Film Festival in October.
The short film was recently screened at the 6th Hundred Islands Film Festival in Alaminos, Pangasinan and Cinemagis 16: Northern Mindanao Short Film Festival at the Xavier University Little Theater in Cagayan de Oro City as part of the CCP Lakbay Sine program.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the student showcases continue at Room A1403 during the 2:00-3:30 p.m. block, featuring “Ani” directed by Ayessa Chloe Tan. Set in an alternate, climate-stricken reality plagued by severe grain shortages, “Ani” follows Noli (Karl Medina), a farmer who enters a high-stakes harvesting contest held by a wealthy trader to fund his wife’s medical expenses.
Tan’s film, which explores systemic corruption and the plight of agricultural workers, won Best Film in the Binisaya Horizons category of the 16th Binisaya, and 3rd Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Supporting Actor for Vic Romano at Sinepiyu XVIII.
Organized by the FDCP’s Academic Film Society with DLSU Manila, FilmEC provides a platform to celebrate student filmmaking while offering panels, lectures, and masterclasses including talkback sessions led by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee.
