TACLOBAN CITY—The short film “Laot” (High Seas) of Leyte National High School has been chosen as as finalist in the 10th International Film Festival in Bangladesh from Jan. 24 to 30.
The film will be one of the country’s three entries under the Child Filmmakers’ Section.
Last October, “Laot” cleaned up at the Second Adolescent Health and Development Independent Film Festival conducted by the Commission on Population in Eastern Visayas or POPCOM-8.
The independent film took Best Poster, Best Trailer, Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Film.
Directed by Peter Am Alre Gaylon, “Laot” was produced by students of LNHS, the region’s biggest secondary school.
The film focused on adolescent health issues and environmental advocacy. It juxtaposed the changing climate through the locals’ experience during Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” and emphasized how the environment affects the health and well-being of young people.
“I was elated with the official finalist selection of the region’s entry. This will open new opportunities for young people to further their advocacy on adolescent health and environmental concerns,” said POPCOM-8 Regional Director Elnora R. Pulma.
The filmfest centered on population, health and environment and its relations to young people in the context of sustainable development.
“Laot” was the region’s entry to the National Adolescent Health and Development Independent Film Festival held at UP Diliman’s Cine Adarna last December 7, 2016. It received several nominations.
Other big winners at the regional film festival included “Agnes” of Lilo-an National High School, Ormoc City and “Surat” of Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School, Borongan City.
Best in Production Design was “Uswag Pambujan” of Pambujan National High School, Pambujan, Northern Samar; Best Cinematography, “Surat” of ESNCHS; Best Supporting Actor, Raulito Sajorda for “Dalumdum” of Calbayog City National High School; Best Supporting Actress, Cecil Solidon for “Surat” of ESNCHS; and Best Actress, Paula jane Metilla for “HEPAg-Ibig” of Cathedral School of La Naval.
“Agnes” was judged the second-best film in the filmfest, while third was “Surat.”
Pulma said the film festival created awareness among adolescents to delay their sexual debut, avoid teenage pregnancy, and prevent sexually transmitted infections like HIV and AIDS.