Far Eastern University student filmmakers recently garnered multiple nominations at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Short Film Festival 2026.
“Kahel” and “Lily,” two short films born out of classroom projects, have both made waves on the national stage after winning several recognitions in different student and regional film festivals.
Organized by FAMAS in partnership with REMS Entertainment, this year’s event highlights compelling independent voices from across the country. Both FEU projects, despite facing stiff competition from other submissions nationwide, caught the eye of the selection committee members and scored nods across major technical and performance categories.
“Kahel,” directed by Garnet Morilla Llames under the Kuwerdas production team, approaches the universal struggle of chasing aspirations through a musical lens. The story focuses on Elias (Justine Abalos), a typical 9-to-5 worker who decides to leave the safety of a corporate routine to pursue music in the bustling city. A sudden jeepney breakdown strands him along with his longtime musical hero (Brylle Parzuelo), marking a turning point in his journey.
The film’s path to FAMAS is backed by an impressive track record. “Kahel” previously won Best Film, Best Direction, Best Editing, and Best Music/Score at Sinepiyu XVIII. It also secured a spot as a finalist in the Narrative Category of the 38th Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Gawad Alternatibo and was screened as part of CCP Lakbay Sine program at the 6th Hundred Islands Film Festival in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Cinemagis 16: Northern Mindanao Film Festival in Cagayan de Oro City, and Sine Sampaloc Film Festival 2026 in Quezon Province.
“We in Kuwerdas gave birth to ‘Kahel’… As filmmakers, we can only set it free and hope it reaches fellow dreamers – those who are tired, losing hope, and need a little fire to dream again,” Llames, a recent graduate from the FEU Department of Communication, shared.
Llames collaborated with his classmates, producer Joharra Embalzado, line producer Rafael Beltran, cinematographer/editor Regine Mae Manuel, screenwriter/musical director Justin Niccolo Mariano, co-writer/script continuity supervisor Sai Salazar, 2nd AD Rayanne Kabigting, production designer Irish Jundaye Macatangay, location manager/camera operator Ritch Matias, and sound recordist/boom operator Franz Juanillo.
At the upcoming FAMAS awards, “Kahel” is up for Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, and Best Actor (Abalos). The awards night will be held on November 11.
On the other hand, “Lily,” directed by Luke Salazar under The Yellow Bus Pictures, delves into darker, more intricate human dynamics. The narrative follows John (Karl Medina), a mysterious photographer driving through Manila who crosses paths with Lily (Joyce Macalia), a shrewd sex worker.
Salazar, a BA Communication graduate in 2025, revealed, “What started years prior as a poem modeled in the style of Charles Bukowski gradually evolved into a screenplay shaped by deep conversations regarding the real-life struggles surrounding sex work in the Philippines.”
The film’s critical acclaim stretches far beyond a single festival. “Lily” dominated Sinepiyu last year by taking home Best Narrative Film, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and Best Performance by a Male Actor, while also clinching Best Film at the Tamaraw Media Awards. Furthermore, it picked up accolades at the University of Batangas-Lipa Campus’s Prime Series SineMulat Tres and Adamson University’s Realifilm.
Salazar worked together with his classmates, producer Krizha Helena Vebora, line producer Janrez Margarette San Jose, production manager Justine Alexandra Rael, location manager/casting director Patricia Mae Aquilizan, director of photography Randell John Bautista, camera operator Jan Dendiego, script continuity supervisor Julianne Cruz, sound recordist CJ Bravo, logger/clapper Jayson Briboneria, production designer Maxine Mendoza, and wardrobe head/hair and makeup artist Maxene David.
At the 2026 FAMAS Short Film Festival, “Lily” continues to command attention with nominations for Best Student Film, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, and Best Actor (Medina).
Both “Kahel” and “Lily” began as final projects under the Directing and Film Production class of FEU faculty member and creative consultant Seymour Sanchez.
As the FEU community looks forward to the upcoming ceremonies, “Kahel” and “Lily” prove that filmmaking in the university is thriving and deeply connected to the pulse of everyday human experiences, whether they start as student projects or echo under the bright lights of FAMAS.
Seymour B. Sanchez
Seymour Barros Sanchez is an advocacy filmmaker, communication and film lecturer, freelance writer, creative producer, technical consultant, and a former producer for news and current affairs programs. He served as Bacolod Film Festival director in 2024 and Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages of the Film Development Council of the Philippines from 2022 to 2025. He is a member of the Academic Film Society Advisory Committee of the FDCP, a representative of the Education Sector to the National Committee on Cinema Executive Council, and Secretary of the NCC.
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