Love, loyalty, and hope take center stage in “Runo!”, an animated short film finalist in the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026 Short Film Category.
Directed and written by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Pateña, Runo! follows the journey of a hungry rescue aspin named Runo as she searches for her student owner, Aimee, amid a zombie apocalypse in the Philippines. Facing danger at every turn, Runo bravely presses on despite near-death encounters and even being bitten, driven by nothing more than her unwavering devotion to the person she loves.
As the apocalypse threatens to tear them apart, Aimee refuses to abandon Runo, proving that even in the darkest of times, love and loyalty can endure. Blending humor, action, and heartfelt emotion, the animated short shines a light on the extraordinary bond between humans and their beloved pets.
The film marks a milestone for directors Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Pateña, who first met as freshmen at iACADEMY. From classmates to creative collaborators, the duo developed Runo! into an award-winning project that became a finalist in SIKAP’s SAPLING Pitch Lab, won Most Promising Project at iNDIEGENIUS 2025, and received the QCShorts 2025 grant. They are currently mentees of VISION Creative Unit under filmmaker Keith Sicat, where they continue to hone their craft in animation and storytelling.
Nour Hooshmand lends her voice to the film.
Runo! joins the Cinemalaya 2026 Short Film Category finalists: Elenita Elena Elaine, Honey, My Love, So Sweet, Hoy, Hoy, Ingat!, kung paano kakalas., Para-Paraan, Silkscreen, Sorbetes, The Keeper, and The River Flows in Different Places.
Meanwhile, the Full-Length Category finalists are A.ni.mál, 2 Valid IDs, Ganggang, Mag-iina, Hand of God, Kaka sa Yawan, Status: Rejected, Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam, and Tirik.
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026 runs from August 6 to 18, with screenings at Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, selected Ayala Malls, and Gateway Cineplex.
