It’s an exciting time for Filipino cinema as writer‑director Richard Soriano Legaspi lifts local storytelling to global heights. His short film Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan? (Moon Under My Feet) has been officially selected to compete at the esteemed CAM International Festival for Documentary and Short Films in Egypt, running from December 1 to 4.
Revisiting Dreams—and a Life That Went On
In “Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan?”, we follow a man (portrayed by Jemuel Satumba) who returns to his hometown after years of working abroad, hoping to reclaim lost dreams and restore what was taken from him. But as he revisits his past, he finds that life moved on without him—filled with uncertainty, longing, and the weight of time gone by.
More Than One Story to Tell
Also competing at the CAM festival is Legaspi’s short documentary Maliliit na Hakbang (Small Steps). This film follows the inspiring journey of the You‑Kalele Kids Zambales, a group of children from San Felipe, Zambales, who dream of a future in music despite personal limitations and external challenges.
A Track Record of International Success
“Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan?” is no stranger to success:
- Winner of Best Quest Film at the Family Film Festival in Canada.
- Nominated for Best Short Movie and Best Short Movie Director for Legaspi at the 38th Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies.
- Screened at an impressive roster of international film festivals including: the Lumina Film Festival (Thailand), Ahmedabad International Film Festival (India), Jaffna International Cinema Festival (Sri Lanka), FerFILM International Film Festival (Kosovo), Fankeena Film Festival (Somalia), Festival del Cinema di Cefalù (Italy), Edo State International Film Festival (Nigeria), Filipino Independent Film Festival (Netherlands), 100 Persen Manusia Film Festival (Indonesia), International Film Festival of Crete & Awards (Greece), the 5th European Philippines International Film Festival (Italy) and the Festiwal Filmów Przeciw Wojnie (Poland).
Meanwhile, “Maliliit na Hakbang” has also racked up honours: a Special Mention at the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (Malaysia), a Three Acts of Goodness award at the Three Acts of Goodness Micro Film Festival (Taiwan), and Special Citation for Children at the 33rd Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video.
Collaboration, Craft & Teamwork
The production of “Bakit Ako Sinusundan ng Buwan?” was achieved through the combined efforts of:
- Production house Red Room Media Productions under the Sine Halaga Film Festival and Educational Resources project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with Negros Cultural Foundation, Inc..
- Cinematographer Albert Banzon, editor John Lanbert Rafols, production designer Elvin Jay Macanlalay, art director Jane Legaspi, musical scorer Jay‑R Tabar, sound recordist Andrew Topacio, line producer Eloisa Espino‑Sanchez, production manager Kristin Joy Bactad‑Jor, assistant PM Cheyenne Dane Bellen, assistant cinematographer Rosendo Davad, assistant director Ryan Rudolf Valerio, production coordinators Ruston Banal and Gia Hasegawa, voice talent Ronwell Jason Bacani, and creative consultant Seymour Barros Sanchez.
On the documentary side, “Maliliit na Hakbang” was supported by production manager Karr Cotamora, videographer Angeline Tabilog, musical scorer Nityaila Saulo, and the efforts of Valerio, Espino‑Sanchez and Sanchez.
What the CAM International Festival Means
The CAM International Festival (organized by the Egyptian Arab Society for Culture, Media and Arts) was established to use cinema as a tool to combat ignorance, terrorism and poverty. The fact that Legaspi’s films will be showcased in this kind of platform underscores how Filipino voices are resonating on truly international, socially relevant platforms.
A Filipino Story, A Global Platform
Legaspi’s journey is a powerful example of how rooted local narratives—whether about the returning overseas worker or the aspiring children of Zambales—can find global relevance and acclaim. It’s exciting to see how these films bridge personal, local experience with broader human themes.
