FILM FESTIVAL RECAP: 3rd Time is a Charm
Collage from the 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival
THIRD TIME IS A CHARM
By: Rommel Rojas
Four/Five unforgettable days.
Dozens of films.
Three red carpets, three after-parties, and one beautiful awards gala to bring it all home.
The 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival unfolded like a love letter to Filipino-American creativity — packed with educational panels, filmmaker spotlights, experimental visions, community celebrations, and the kind of storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll.
My third year with the FilAm Creative Film Festival (FACFF) was genuinely a charm.
During my first year, I only showed up as an attendee — and only for opening night. Oops. The second year, I helped here and there, dipping a toe into the chaos. But this year? Fully immersive. I served as the Writer’s Panel Committee Head, became a last-minute moderator and host, and co-managed the gala with Angel Quinsay. Together, we were the Heads of Aesthetic and Design — which honestly sounds like we work at a design firm.
And the FilAm Creative Film Festival has grown exponentially. We received over 100 film submissions, welcomed more than 700 attendees, and pulled off a four-day festival shindig. Technically five… let me explain…
DAY 0 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
The perfect way to kick off the festival is with full bellies. Before the festival officially opened, our filmmakers and panelists gathered for an intimate welcome dinner, made possible by Alex Cruz de Ocampo and Mark Alipio.
DAY 1 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 - Craft, Creativity & Community
Behind the Timeline – Editor’s Panel
We launched the festival with a powerhouse conversation featuring four editors whose work spans Sundance gems, Emmy-winning prestige TV, and global reality sensations. With Randall Kamradt moderating, panelists broke down the art of the cut — leaving the audience energized and inspired.
Achim Mendoza - “Alok” Sundance selected Editor
Mark Arbitrario - Asia’s Next Top Model 4 and The Voice
Michelle Tesoro - Emmy and ACE Eddie Winner “The Queen’s Gambit”
Rehj Cabrera - ACE Eddie Nominee
Editor’s Panel at FACFF 2025
FilAm Creations Block, presented by Noble Creations
Next up was one of FAC’s signature traditions: the FilAm Creations Competition and the FilAm Creative Block.
FilAm Creations is basically a 48-hour film challenge…except it runs for three weeks. So really, it’s a 504-hour challenge.
This year’s mandatory elements?
Theme: Family
Prop: A bowl of chicken adobo
Line: “Oh Noble Creations.”
The two Finalists were Party Starts at 5 (So come at 6) by Achim Mendoza and A Serious Game by Isabel Lamer.
Then screened the new works from FilAm Creative staff, since we couldn’t submit our projects to the official competition, boo, this block was made specifically for us.
Pepper Soup by Emmanuel Munda
First you, Then I by Ashleigh Coffelt
Centerpiece by Rommel Rojas
Voice by Randal and Malou Kamradt
Kiss me Goodnight by Juan Raymundo Ramos
To Insert by Nicholas James Barber
Unsaid by Romeo Lorenzo Apalit
Pasensiya by Ralph Torrefranca, a FAC fiscally sponsored project, also joined the block. Yes, FilAm Creative does fiscal sponsorships. It is great for your fund raising. Submit your projects now for consideration.
Red Carpet
The red carpet dusted and rolled out. Step-and-repeat in place. Lights set. Walk!
It felt like fashion week — beautiful and talented people filling the carpet, led by Soup Pha and MJ Racadio. Everywhere you looked, there were stunning modern takes on the Barong and Terno and a Maranao malong worn by yours truly.
Special Feature Screening
Opening night featured a double screening of the first-ever FilAm projects to screen at the Sundance Film Festival.
First up: Allan Brocka’s Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World. This was my first time seeing Lego people get down and dirty. A milestone for me, truly.
Next was Rod Pulido’s The Flip Side, a trailblazer for Filipino representation at a time when it was practically nonexistent in 2001. Seeing the director and cast present felt meaningful — a reminder that our creative success is built on the shoulders of those who paved the way.
Hollywood Hills After Party
The night ended under the stars with a celebration hosted by the Manila International Film Festival and Lisa Lew, who opened her beautiful home for us to celebrate. Thank you so much for your warmth and hospitality.
DAY 2 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 - Music, Myth, Memory & Meaning
This day was spectacular! Probably the best day of the festival… ugh, fine. I lied. I missed this day. But I have an excuse! A friend was visiting from the Philippines, and I had to show her around L.A. That’s valid, right? 😬 The events were as follows:
Notes & Narratives – Composers Panel
Festivalgoers were treated to a masterclass in musical storytelling with composers Denise Santos, Nathan Matthew David, Tangelene Bolton, and Carmichael Castanos, moderated by Rasec Marc. From BBC docs to Sundance labs, the panel charted the emotional pathways music creates on screen.
[insert photo(s) from that panel event]
Block A — Experimental
Eight boundary-pushing films reimagined storytelling through dream logic, music-video aesthetics, and bold experimentation.
[insert trailer from that film block]
Peaches by Monica Silverio
Spam Fried Rice by Jaclyn Aimee
Brain Dump by Iya Baclagan and Francisco Yun
Augmented by Matthew Abaya
Fruit by Ella Espiritu
Temporary by Jasper Capalad and Joshua Abrenilla
The Strawberries by Nicholas Luciano
A Karaoke Space Odyssey by Achim Mendoza
Block B — Sacred Bonds
An emotional collection exploring ancestry, identity, and connection.
[insert trailer from that film block]
Three Ates and a Wedding by Kevin Ang
Bakunawa by Jessica Stutman
Ruya by Nicole Mairose Dizon
Everything Good by Roni Canieso
How much Filipino by Greg Roensch
Lukso ng Dugo by Annika Magbanua
Lola by Grace Hanna
Evening Red Carpet & Special Feature — The Village Keeper
The night continued with the moving Canadian drama The Village Keeper, directed by Karen Chapman, exploring trauma, motherhood, and resilience in a violent city.
After Party at The Famous
Good drinks, good vibes, and great company in Glendale.
DAY 3 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 - Storytelling in Every Form
Scene & Heard – Writers Panel
Showrunners, TV writers, and Film writers gathered to talk character, structure, and soul. Moderated by Grace Moss, of Warner Bro Discovery Inclusion, the panelists shared candid insights into navigating the ever-evolving storytelling landscape.
Miranda Kwok - Fox’s The Cleaning Lady, Showrunner
Simon Ganz - HBO’s The Gumshoe, Show runner
Charlotte Langley-Wilson - Disney Junior’s Hey AJ!, Writer
Mark Labella - Crab, Writer
Block C — Transformation
A poignant lineup examining memory, belonging, and healing.
[insert trailer from that film block]
Maybe It’s Just the Rain by Reina Bonta
Cafune by Joanne Nguyen
Reach Out by John Haas & Joanne Danganan
TAGA by Jill Sachs
Block D — Identity
A vibrant selection celebrating love and loss to resilience and connection, these films will move, challenge, and inspire.
[insert trailer from that film block]
Thank You For Breaking My Heart by Rachel Leyco
Diminishing Returns by Colin Whitman
Silim by Alexander Cruz De Ocampo
You + Me Will Always Be Back Then by Marissa Roxas
Ki and Mark by John Geronilla
[insert photo(s) from that film block]
Evening Red Carpet & Special Feature — Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine
Around 5:30 p.m., I got a call from Drea Castro asking if I could moderate the Q&A for Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine by Emmy winner Michele Josue. And of course, I said yes!
This Emmy-winning documentary honors Matthew Shepard’s legacy and spotlights a landmark work in LGBTQ+ storytelling.
This beautiful 2013 documentary explores how hatred led to the brutal murder of Matt Shepard in 1998. Despite being over a decade old, the film feels as relevant as ever. As long as hatred exists, this story remains essential.
DAY 4 — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2025
FACFF Awards Gala
An elegant, emotional evening brought the festival to a close. The gala honored the year’s most exceptional storytellers.
🏅 Award Winners
Best Short Narrative: Taga
Best Short Documentary: Diminishing Returns
Best Music Video: Peaches
Audience Award for Best Film: Diminishing Returns
Grand Jury Award for Best Film: Lola
Best Director: Lola – Grace Hanna
Best Actor: Three Ates and a Wedding – Mariah Cruz
Best Supporting Actor: Lola – Ren Hanami
FilAm Creations Jury Award: The Party Starts at 5 (So Come at 6)
FilAm Creations Audience Award: A Serious Game
Honorariums: Michele Josue, Rod Pulido, Karen Chapman, Allan Brocka, Enrique Baniqued
Community Awards:
Congratulations to all the winners and FilAm Creatives leaders, committee heads, staff, countless volunteers!
Thank you to our sponsors and community partners!
Lastly, thank you to FAC for awarding me this bird for my operational skills. I’m truly grateful to be part of this incredible machinery. Seeing everyone’s happy faces fuels me to carve out time for community building. Let’s keep creating—and claiming our space.
See you all next year.
