By Edmar Delos Santos, StratCom Correspondent

Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez, faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Ryand Angelo Ugalde, fourth-year communication student, were chosen as finalists in two of the country's most sought-after independent film festivals.

"Ina Bulan," a narrative film by Mr. Gomez, is among the 10 selected finalists for the Short Films category of the 6th Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, scheduled from September 4 to 10, in selected Metro Manila movie houses. Sinag Maynila 2024 is produced and organized by Solar Pictures and Center Stage Productions, in partnership with the City of Manila.

Produced by Ylocostar Films and Pelikula Ilokana, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Ina Bulan tells the story of Seferina Umayam, a devoted prayer leader who struggles with the complex choices between her responsibilities and personal ambitions, carrying a sense of unhappiness that shapes her path to self-discovery.

Meanwhile, "Byukon," a short documentary film helmed by Mr. Ugalde, is among the 36 finalists in the Open Category of the 11th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition (NABIFILMEX), the longest-running open-air film festival in Mindanao, to be held in the Municipality of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, in September.

Byukon tells the story of Adha, a local gay pageant enthusiast who makes ends meet by constantly joining competitions. It won the Honorable Mention award in the documentary category of the 2024 Sinepiyu, a national student film festival organized by the Far Eastern University - Manila.

Furthermore, Mr. Ugalde is set to compete for the Gimadyaman Award for Best Film, the highest award of the film festival. Mr. Gomez won the said award at the same competition in 2023.

Mr. Gomez, together with Mr. Edmar Delos Santos, also a CAS faculty member, have their films selected for exhibition under a non-competition category at this year's NABIFILMEX for their films "Ina Bulan” and "Panagsana" (Salt-making), respectively.