The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) has officially launched the 1st FAMAS Short Film Festival, a groundbreaking event dedicated exclusively to short films.
The festival, presented by REMS Entertainment, is led by festival director Gabby Ramos and FAMAS president Francia Conrado, who aim to provide a prestigious platform for emerging and seasoned filmmakers to showcase their creativity.
During the festival’s official launch in Quezon City, Ramos and Conrado emphasized that the event will have no set theme, allowing filmmakers complete creative freedom to explore diverse narratives and storytelling styles.
“This inaugural festival aims to celebrate Filipino filmmakers’ creativity and storytelling, offering a distinguished platform for short-form films,” Conrado said.
Ramos, a former FAMAS Best Short Film awardee for ‘Huling Sayaw Ni Erlinda’ (2024), shared his commitment to uplifting short filmmakers, noting that short films are often overlooked despite their significance in cinema.
“I believe that short filmmakers are the future of Philippine cinema. Unfortunately, short films don’t get enough recognition, and they deserve a platform like this,” Ramos stated.
The festival is open for submissions from all Filipino filmmakers, with five main categories:
- Short Film – Fiction or non-fiction narratives exploring artistic and emotional themes.
- Student Film – Entries officially endorsed by educational institutions.
- Regional Film – Stories that highlight local cultures and languages outside Metro Manila.
- Advocacy Film – Films addressing social issues and raising awareness.
- Documentary – Non-fiction storytelling that covers real-life events and social concerns.
Each film must not exceed 20 minutes, including credits, and must be in its original language with English subtitles. Only Philippine citizens are eligible to submit, and all films must have been produced within the country, though co-productions are allowed.
The festival has already received around 100 submissions, with more expected following the official announcement.
Selected films will be screened at VS Cinema, located on the 8th floor of Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City, with additional screening venues being finalized.
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: March 25, 2025
- Official Selection Announcement: First week of April 2025
- Cinema Screenings: May 3 to 9, 2025
- Awards Night: May 10, 2025
Filmmakers can submit their entries through a digital form, with a screening fee of P2,500 (regular) or P2,000 (for students).
The festival will honor outstanding works with prestigious FAMAS trophies in the following categories:
- Best Short Film
- Best Director
- Best Cinematography
- Best Screenplay
- Best Editing
- Best Music & Sound Design
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Documentary
- Best Student Film
- Best Regional Film
- Best Advocacy Film
FAMAS President Francia Conrado highlighted the importance of adapting to evolving film trends while continuing FAMAS’s tradition of recognizing excellence in Philippine cinema.
“The legacy of FAMAS is resiliency. We have faced challenges, but we remain dedicated to celebrating Filipino artistry and cinema,” she said.
With its inaugural edition, the FAMAS Short Film Festival is set to showcase fresh talent, compelling narratives, and socially relevant themes, reaffirming its commitment to fostering the growth of Filipino filmmakers.
For inquiries, interested participants may contact famas.shortfilm@gmail.com or visit the FAMAS Short Film Festival Facebook page.
