PERSONAL NA MITOLOHIYA
Directed by Dominique Castelano

ARTIST BIO
As a transgender artist originating from the Philippines, their journey to America for safety and medical access ignited the inspiration for their artistic pursuits. Settling in New York City, they secured the first artist residency with The High Line Nine, producing "Impressionique I," which earned first runner-up in the 2022 Stonewall Painting Contest. Hard work and dedication led to contributions in various publications, authentically addressing feminism and queer POC liberation. Recently awarded a grant from Creatives Rebuild NY and sponsored by The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and LMCC, they center marginalized voices in their work. Committed to social change, they strive to uplift those historically disenfranchised within their community. Having faced homelessness, workplace bullying and separation from family, they collaborate with New Alternatives, a shelter for LGBTQIA+ youth in Manhattan, involving mentoring queer youth and allocating a portion of sales proceeds from their work to the organization.

GLIMPSE
Directed by Earl Alfred Paus

ARTIST BIO
Earl Paus (They/Them/Siya) is a queer Pilipinx-American, multiple award-winningfilmmaker & theatre Director & Actor. Earl creates intentionally by acting out thetruth so others can live theirs.“Glimpse”is their debut short film as a first timefilmmaker, & premiered at the San Diego Filipino Film Festival in 2023. Earl’sartistic style is inspired by the 90’s New Queer Cinema movement & coming of ageindie films. Inspired by directors like Gregg Araki,horror & fantasy films likeSuspiria, and directors like Ari Aster & JordanPeele. Earl often weaves themes ofcultural myths & the controversial use of magic & spirituality as a way out forunderdog characters living on the fringes of society. Earl is also a collective memberof The Fil-Am Film Collective and hosts a weekly Actor Studio workshop series as anaffinity space for AANHPI creatives in their hometown of San Diego. (earlpaus.com)

I AM BABAYLAN
Directed by Francis Labra

ARTIST BIO
Francis Lab also known as Khan T., is a Filipinx non-binary multimedia artist and dragqueen, intertwining performance art and mixed media to explore themes of reconnectionand remembrance. Drawing from Filipino Indigenous wisdom and the Divine Feminine,their devotional offerings are a meditation on remembering through the power of ritualand ceremony, weaving them into their creative expression and inviting audiences into ajourney of self-discovery and connecti

AKING SENAKULO
Directed by Jela Dela Peña

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
As a first generation immigrant that moved to Canada at 18 years old, Dela Peña never had the chance to explore his identiy outside the performance of gender norms influenced by Catholicism. It was only in his early 20s that he spent in Montreal when we started to unlearn the ramifications of colonization.

Having two people casted as one person in the film can embody multiple interpretations. True acceptance of oneself is painful yet can be beautifully intimate at the same time. This imagery can also be seen as looking at yourself through layers of neo-colonialism and late-capitalism. All the while showing the constant struggle of trying to embrace yourself as both a living proof of your pre-colonial ancestors and a child of the revolutionary leaders that fought these settlers. There is no definite answer to who these beings on the screen are, nor does it force the viewer to pick a label. Like gender and identity, it is rather fluid. It is the essence of finding that comfort of someone that just understands. Through your own sufferings, your own Senakulo, may it be your ancestors or the person next to you watching this film, you are not alone. In a community, your struggle is mine too.

JUICY FRUIT

Directed by Maureen Catbagan

Maureen Catbagan is a Pilipinx-American, multi-media artist based in Brooklyn whose work engages social collectivity and explores the intersections of immigration, labor, and visibility. Collaborative projects include Abang-guard with artist Jevijoe Vitug, Flux Factory, and Yams Collective. Catbagan has exhibited in venues such as PS 122 Gallery, The Center for Book Arts, Governors Island, the Rockland Center for the Arts in New York, and The Contemporary Museum of Honolulu. They have performed in venues such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art Abrons Art Center, DUMBO Art in New York, and Art Quarter Budapest. Fellowships and grants include 2024-25 Queens Museum-Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists, 2021 NYFA-City Artists Corps Grant, and 2020 Critical Minded for Cultural Critics Grant.  

THE FUNCTION OF FICTION IS ABSTRACTION AND SIMULATION OF SOCIAL EXPERIENCE

Directed By Mac Andre Arboleda

Mac Andre Arboleda was born in the Philippines and is currently based in London. His work is  on https://sickinternet.me. 

GET FREE
Directed by Ray De Mesa

ARTIST BIO
Ray de Mesa is a queer Filipino American writer, director,producer, and editor from Pasadena, CA. His most recent shortfilm, GET FREE (2022), received multiple awards including an SFOMuseum Video Arts Program Grant, the Light Iron Post ProductionAward, and the Best Picture Award (2022) presented by SanFrancisco State University. The film also screened at several filmfestivals nationwide including Outfest Fusion Los Angeles,Melbourne Queer Film Festival, among others. #SLAY is hisculminating thesis film as a Cinema MFA graduate at SFSU, and issupported by a Barbara Hammer Film Grant. Ray is interested inproducing narratives that center queer perspectives on a varietyof cultural topics.