Love, survival, and climate change collide in Whammy Alcazaren’s latest short film, Water Sports, which will screen under the Short Film Category of Cinemalaya 2025, running from October 3 to 12. Audiences can catch screenings at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cineplex.
The apocalyptic romantic comedy runs for 19 minutes and 36 seconds and tells the story of Jelson and Ipe, two young students in love, who are pushed to their mental and physical limits while preparing to survive a world ravaged by climate change. Guided by their teacher’s mantra that a strong heart and mind can conquer anything, the boys soon realize that perhaps the truest way to endure the end of the world is not through force, but by choosing to live, laugh, and love.
Whammy Alcazaren, the film’s director and screenwriter, is a multi-awarded filmmaker and production designer known for his bold, genre-defying works. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, Alcazaren has participated in the 2013 13 Little Pictures Film Lab in Singapore, the 2016 Festival Belluard Bollwek Residency in Switzerland, and 2024 Berlinale Talents. He has collaborated with acclaimed directors including Carlo Manatad (Whether the Weather is Fine) and Raya Martin (Death of Nintendo), and made waves internationally with his short film Bold Eagle, which won Best International Short at the 2023 Fantasia Film Festival and screened at the 61st New York Film Festival and the 40th Sundance Film Festival.
Water Sports stars Elijah Canlas, Renz Javier, Bon Lentejas, and Ricky Davao, with a powerhouse production team including Berhil Cruz (cinematography), Ana Lou Sanchez (production design), Carlo Francisco Manatad (editor), and Sage Ilagan and Caloy Soliongco (original music score).
As an “apocalyptic romcom,” Water Sports offers a fresh and playful take on survival stories, blending tender romance with biting social commentary about resilience in the face of climate catastrophe.
Other Cinemalaya 2025 short film entries are Ascension from the Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre, Figat by Handiong Kapuno, Hasang by Daniel de la Cruz, I’m Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idioma, Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman sang Lawod by Seth Andrew Blanca, Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit by Maria Estela Paiso, Radikals by Arvin Belarmino, The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa, and Please Keep This Copy by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta.
