After its successful 8th edition, IndieSiyensya now calls for submissions for its new season that focuses on the theme “Halik sa Lupa” (Kiss the Earth).
This year’s competition invites students, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts to expand the conversation on the interesting relationship of soil, life, and humanity.
“There’s so much more to [soil] that we have yet to discover and explore, and we want you to look beneath and beyond the ground. Gusto naming tuklasin ninyo ang lalim at lawak ng kahalagahan ng lupa.” This is Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director Dr. Jayeel S. Cornelio’s challenge during the kick-off event at the University of Santo Tomas on March 18, 2025.
Furthermore, he emphasized that DOST-SEI’s interest in filmmaking in fostering public conversations about science and society. “For this reason, we want to shed light on issues that bear social significance, and we want to communicate it effectively for the public to discuss, debate, and dialogue.”
Call for Entries
Making space for more entries, there are two categories for in this year’s filmmaking competition: Youth Category and Open Category.
Youth Category
Entries for the “Youth Category” shall revolve on the topic of “Buhay na Lupa” (The Living Soil). Through a science explainer video format, submissions shall discuss the science of soil by exploring its ecosystems, processes, and impact on life.
This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 13 to 18 years old, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed five (5) minutes.
Open Category
Meanwhile, the “Open Category” challenges filmmakers to expound on soil as “Yamang Lupa” (soil as a resource). Through a documentary format, entries shall explore soil from social, cultural, and economic perspectives – interrogating soil’s intricate relationship with various aspects of human life.
This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 19 years old and above, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed eight (8) minutes.
Interested applicants for both categories may visit https://bit.ly/IndieSiyensyaMechanics for the complete competition guidelines.
Deadline of submission of entries is on June 22, 2025, via email
(indiesiyensya@sei.dost.gov.ph).
From all the submissions, five (5) entries from each category will be adjudged finalists.
These films will form part of the Film Festival that will be screened at various Cinematheque Centers nationwide on October 7-11, 2025, and will be streamed on JuanFlix: The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Channel on October 12-31, 2025.
All finalists will vie for all major and special awards. The top three (3) films will take home Php 200,000.00, Php 150,000.00 and Php 100,000.00, respectively. Meanwhile, the Viewer’s Choice winner will bring home Php 20,000.00.
As the country’s first and only science filmmaking competition, DOST-SEI and FDCP annually hosts IndieSiyensya to push the boundaries of creativity and environmental advocacy among the youth. At its core, the competition aims to build interest among the public, especially students, on the importance of science, as well as science communication in society.
For more information, please visit: https://web.facebook.com/dostseiindiesiyensya
