FEU short film ‘Lily’ continues winning streak

A gripping short film from Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila, recently bagged top awards in two collegiate film competitions, solidifying its place as a standout piece of contemporary independent student cinema.

“Lily,” produced by The Yellow Bus Pictures and directed by Luke Salazar, emerged as a major winner at the Prime Series (Interschool Category) of SineMulat Tres Film Festival, hosted by the Multimedia Arts Circle at the University of Batangas-Lipa Campus.

The drama follows John (Karl Medina), a quiet and mysterious photographer driving through the vibrant, crowded streets of Manila, who crosses paths with Lily (Joyce Macalia), a shrewd sex worker with a disarming beauty.

The festival, anchored on the theme “Itaya ang Katarungan, Isigaw ang Katotohanan,” celebrated cinema’s power to challenge perspectives and shape future industry voices.

“Lily” clinched four major technical and creative awards: Best Director for Salazar, Best Cinematography for Randell John Bautista, Best Production Design for Maxine Mendoza, and Best Musical Score for Paolo Miguel Saclayan. The film also secured nominations for Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

“We were genuinely shocked by the results. We didn’t expect to take home this many awards,” Salazar shared, expressing regret for not being able to attend the awarding ceremony. “Still, we are deeply grateful to SineMulat for the recognition, and to other film festivals that serve as a crucial backbone for young, emerging filmmakers like us.”

The event was organized by the Multimedia Arts Circle led by its president, Jhon Albert Hertez of the University of Batangas College of Information Technology, Entertainment and Communication, with guidance from their Program Head, Dean Atty. Dr. Mayling I. Capuno.

Last May 4, a week after winning at SineMulat, Bautista also took home the Best Cinematography award for “Lily” at Adamson University’s Realifim, an annual intercollegiate and senior high school filmmaking competition and festival hosted by Silip@Lente-AdU film and photography organization.

The success of “Lily” at SineMulat and Realifilm marks a milestone for a short film project under the Directing and Film Production class of Seymour Sanchez that underwent a creative evolution.

According to Salazar, “Lily” began its life far from the lens. “It started as a poem molded in the style of Charles Bukowski, exposing the weaknesses and shortcomings of a man,” he revealed.

The concept later evolved into a story, before transforming into a screenplay heavily influenced by cinema that questions the limitations of photography. It was further improved through immersive research, observation, and deep conversations surrounding the realities of sex work in the Philippines.

“Lily” previously won Best Film at the Tamaraw Media Awards and Best Narrative Film, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and Best Performance by a Male Actor for Medina at the annual Sinepiyu film festival organized by the FEU Film Society.