PANABO CITY – Layag, a documentary film created by a faculty member and students of Davao del Norte State College, won 1st Best Film at the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Lilas sa Onse: A Short Film Festival. The film also received awards for Best Director and Best Technical Achievement in Cinematography and Editing.
The short film, produced by COMMunekta Production, follows the story of a fisherfolk in La Paz, Municipality of Carmen. The team included Mr. Jezreyll James Cabasag, Justeene Sayson, Shetori Robles, Elaiza Marie Empat, Lee Joshua Sardoma, and Abdul Raffy Macadising.
The festival, themed “Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga”, was open to storytellers, visionaries, and film enthusiasts from the Davao Region. It featured inspiring journeys of DSWD program beneficiaries. Participants attended a workshop led by respected Mindanaoan filmmakers before proceeding to production and post-production phases. The awarding ceremony was held at World Palace Hotel, Davao City, on December 16, 2024.