Fat You of FEU Wins at Manila Student Film Festival

Wazzup Pilipinas! 

Fat You, a short film made by third year college students from Far Eastern University, won first prize in the 19-21 age group (Further/Higher education) category of the inaugural Manila Student Film Festival held last January 16 at the International School Manila.

Written and directed by Ronnel "Thirdy" Rivera III, the winning short film tells the story of a fat girl who is afraid to show up in her class reunion after being bullied by her former classmates because of her physical appearance.

In his acceptance speech, Rivera thanked the organizers for initiating the event. "It lets us express ourselves through films." The winning filmmaker also reiterated his film's message. "Our film 'Fat You' is for all the fat people not only in the Philippines but all over the world. Let's fight fat-phobia," he stressed.

The Plus Size Production film stars Marry Grace Yagi and Lexcel Quina, with support from Robby Delgado, FEU Theater Guild actor Ron Christian Alos and FEU UAAP Season 80 courtside reporterSydney Allison Crespo, among others.

Rivera also got the able support of director of photography and editor Pj Muñoz, production manager Jamilla Chua, production designerWinter Delos Reyes, assistant director Diana Manguiat, associate producer Neo Torres and location manager Roselene Ariola.

Fat You bested three other finalists in its category, namely Batang Hamog by Eluigi Macalintal fromDe La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, To Be Determined by Lukas Fiechter, Brian Molloy and Alejandro Minana from ISM, and Ligaya by Migui Baluyut, Jahia Roces and Risa Murayama from Singapore School Manila.

Meanwhile, the public service announcementWorld of Plastic by Roland Swank, Julian Benedict Alguno and Miguel Caballero from Cebu International School bagged the top prize in the 8-11 age group (Junior/Elementary).

In addition, the short animation Fresh by Eve Hartley from ISM won in the 12-14 category (Middle/High school) while "Sorry I'm Late" by Agnes Roche, Carmel Limcaoco, Reed Santos and Bruno Cote Rodriguez, also from ISM, topped the 15-18 age group (Senior/High school).

The Manila Student Film Festival, which is open to students who are currently enrolled in primary/junior, high schools, senior schools or colleges throughout the country, aims to celebrate "the creativity of young filmmakers in the Philippines by providing an audience for upcoming talent and inspiring the filmmakers of tomorrow to create films now."

Manila-based Italian director, cinematographer and editor Andrea Capranico and Filipino director, animator, film editor, sound recordist and art director Ricky Orellana served as judges.

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