Far Eastern University Department of Communication alumna Ayessa Tan added another accolade to her growing list of achievements as her short film Ani won Best Film under the Binisaya Horizons category at the 16th Binisaya International Film Festival, held from August 16 to 23.
The award was announced during the festival’s closing program, where the Padayon Award winners were recognized. Ani emerged as the top film in the Binisaya Horizons category, which highlights new works from the Philippines outside Cebu.
Written and directed by Tan, a Cavite-based filmmaker and FEU Manila graduate, Ani tackles pressing social issues involving agricultural workers and systemic efforts to combat corruption. The film uses its story to amplify the struggles of farmers while examining the social and institutional challenges surrounding them.
The production team expressed gratitude to the festival organizers, Cebuano audiences, and the jury for recognizing the film and providing a platform for its message. Although the team was unable to attend the awards ceremony in person, Tan said the recognition is a meaningful opportunity to bring their story to a wider audience.
Tan also credited the film’s production team for helping bring Ani to life, including cinematographer and editor Jose Gabriel Unson, production designer Ethan Laurence Bardaje, sound designer Augusto Adre, musical scorer Mark Manansala, production manager Zai Codoy, line producer and first assistant director Sophia Loberiano, second assistant director Anna Correo, and the film’s camera, sound, lighting, VFX, and acting teams.
The cast includes Karl Medina, Sharon Ceneta, Vic Romano, Lau Apostol, Prince España, and Chrissy Abadicio, among others.
Before its Binisaya victory, Ani also received multiple awards at FEU’s Sinepiyu XVIII, where it won 3rd Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Supporting Actor for Vic Romano.
Ani was officially selected for Binisaya alongside another FEU entry, Where the Cave Ends, directed by Nix Vergara, who attended the festival.
Other major winners at Binisaya 16 included Sulong Kad by Tyl Abellaneda of Cebu, which won Binisaya Shorts Best Film; The Groundhog’s Nightmare by Cromwell Ken Ibo of Davao, which received the Binisaya Shorts Jury Award; Hey Stranger by Dan Lopez of Cebu, which won Binisaya Audience’s Choice; samtang naghulat ko nga maakoa ka… by Linus Masandag of Leyte, which won Binisaya Giatay; and The Red Banca by Nena Jane of the Philippines, which won Binisaya World.
Following its Binisaya win, Ani is set to screen at the 13th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition, alongside another FEU film, Oguima, written and directed by Zarrina Fernandez.
