Filipino American Shorts

To commemorate the life of our fellow colleague Johnathan Laxamana and his work with the FIlipino Communicty and the Chicago FIlipino American Film Festival, these shorts showcase the rising talent of Filipino American filmmakers and the stories they tell.

Saturday, May 20th, 2023
XXX PM

Bleached

Directed and Written by Jess dela Merced
http://www.jessdelamerced.com/

A Filipino American girl loses her identity when she uses a bleaching cream in order to gain her mother's approval.

Produced by Marjorie Lin
Cinematography by Matthew Mendelson
Starring Henrietta Gard, Elaine Pinto, Jess dela Merced and Dwight Narruhn

A Lonely Afternoon

Directed and Written by Kyle Credo
https://www.kylecredofilm.com/

Justin, a timid Filipino boy, and his mischievous cousin Lianne, cause trouble during a house blessing. When Lianne’s mother says they have to go home, Justin is left to his own devices. With no one to play with, Justin seeks companionship.

Produced by Farah Abdo
Associate Producer/Editor: Warren Credo
Director of Photography/Colourist: John Palanca
Production Design/Wardrobe: Steffi Tupe
Sound Recording/Mixing: Kalvin Mallari
Soundtrack: Mark Herrera
Assistant Producer: Ryan Villadar
Art Assistants: Christine Dela Pena, Tommy John Dela Pena

Phony

Written and Directed by Jess dela Merced
http://www.jessdelamerced.com/

Sunny, a young Asian American woman with anger management issues, returns home to the San Gabriel Valley seeking respite from her recent career failures - but a simple grocery shopping trip with her mother may prove more than she can handle.

Executive Produced by Paul Feig and Powderkeg Media
Starring Jess Dela Merced, Kristina Wong, Kyle Mizono, Princess Punzalan

White Lady

Directed by Marc Yungco
https://www.instagram.com/mjyungco/

White Lady is a story about unrequited love and revenge. It follows a young man haunted by the ghost of his ex-fiance in their place of employment.

Written by Paolo Valdes
Produced by Marc Yungco, Joere Estremadura
Starring Lissa Neptuno, Carlo Fortin, Gabrielle Jacinto, Jason Asuncion, Moheb Jindran, Philip Planta

Party Favors

Directed and Written by Yasmine Gomez
http://www.yasminegomez.com/

A Filipino-American woman grapples with going behind her strict Catholic sister's back to buy condoms for her 14-year-old niece.

Produced by Yasmine Gomez, Marisa Marquez
Key Cast: Catherine Ricafort McCreary, Sara Rahman, Kim Berrios Lin

When You Left Me On That Boulevard

Directed, Written by Kayla Abuda Galang
https://www.kaylagalang.com/

Teenager Ly and her cousins get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house in southeast San Diego in 2006. Stoned and harboring a romance with her maybe-boyfriend, Ly moves through her family's gossip, nosiness, and loudness until the day ends.

Executive Produced by Christopher Ayson, Homer Galang Jr, Leslie Abuda Galang, John Knighton
Produced by Samantha Skinner, Alifya Ali, Udoy Rahim, David Oconer, Kayla Abuda Galang
Cinematography by Rajinee Buquing
Edited by Kayla Abuda Galang, Matt Stryker
Production Design by Meryl Aquino, Serina Chantrachuck
Sound Design by Will Kurzner
Starring Kailyn Dulay, Melissa Arcaya, Elle Rodriguez, Whitney Agustin, Gina May Gimongala, Alex Atienza, Allan Wayne Anderson, Joseph Mayang