Netflix and iAcademy in search for young Filipino filmmakers with regional roots, indigenous backgrounds

Private educational institution iACADEMY has officially launched iNDIEGENIUS—a program that encourages emerging Filipino filmmakers with regional backgrounds or regional roots to submit and realize their film concepts.

Under iNDIEGENIUS, organizers will select ten filmmakers from a nationwide call for entries to take part in four weekend workshops that will be spread over one month.

The participants will hone their film concepts before doing a live pitch to a jury consisting of industry professionals. Finally, two winning film projects will each receive a production grant.

The project lab is sponsored by Netflix and curated by award-winning Filipino filmmaker Keith Sicat and other local industry mentors.

The iNDIEGENIUS program will take place later this year, with an aim to support voices with strong regional perspectives in the Philippines by providing young filmmakers with development opportunities to improve concepts and then create short narratives, animation, and documentary productions.

“The goal is to prepare our participants for their future as filmmakers and to empower them to tell local stories and share their distinct, cultural perspectives while setting them up for success,” iACADEMY president and chief executive officer Vanessa Tanco said. The school is known for its software engineering, game development, animation, and multimedia arts programs.

Interested filmmakers may apply for the program here.