Despite the strong earthquake felt in Manila, the third ComMotion Film Festival (CMFF) of the Adamson University Communication Department was a success, with the comedy short film bagging 10 of the 18 awards on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Five 25-minute short films from different genres participated in this year's festival, all screened before an audience inside the Adamson University Theater.

However, the awarding part of the program was halted due to the strong earthquake felt in Manila. Everyone in the University evacuated and stayed on the grounds before the infrastructures were cleared and declared safe, and everyone was allowed to return to their rooms.

Winners

"Adelang Problemada" by Likha Studios bagged 12 of the 20 awards on Tuesday, including Best Picture. It tells the story of an unlucky teenager who turned her life around after finding her dead grandmother's magical panties.

The said film also won:

• Best Director (Trishia Espeña)
• Best Screenplay (Adrian Espino)
• Best Actress (Ria Francisco)
• Best Supporting Actress (Abigael Ibañez)
• Best Editing (Alexander Burwell)
• Best Production Design (Rafael Roxas)
• Best Costume, Hair, and Make-up (Rafael Roxas)
• Best Prop Use
• Best Trailer
• Best Music Video (Midterm activity)

"Adelang Problemada" also won the Anima Youth Excellence Award, a recognition presented by Kroma Entertainment and Anima Studios, major event sponsors.

In her speech for the Best Director award, Espeña said she left her comfort zone when she decided to direct her group's film instead of acting in front of the camera. She thought her sacrifice paid off.

"Talagang umalis ako sa comfort zone ko (I left my comfort zone), and, of course, with the help of my team, Likha Studios, big part sila, kung bakit ko nakuha yung award na ‘to. Lahat talaga kami (they are a big part of why I got this award. All of us), we really did our best para magawa to (to make this film)," she said.

"Sa ibang directors ng ibang films, guys, para sa atin tong award na ‘to, hindi lang ‘to para sakin kasi alam ko lahat ginalingan natin (To the other film directors, this award is fora ll of us. It's not just for me because I know all of us did our best),” she added.

The horror short film "Dugtong," directed by Rebecca Dabalos and produced by Dim Light Productions, won Second Best Picture. Kelvin Bacamante, who wrote the screenplay, bagged the Best Supporting Actor Award.

"Dugtong" tells the story of a student who started seeing entities and hearing voices after her failed suicide attempt. Dim Light Productions was the smallest group in the batch, with only 13 members.

The mystery-thriller film "Blackout," directed by Zyen Torrevillas and produced by DSM Productions, bagged two awards: Ysabelle Jayco won Best Cinematography. At the same time, they were also voted to have the Best Poster.

"Blackout," written by Janelle Alipio and Shazney Figueroa, follows the investigation of two detectives into the killing of the owner of a shoe factory.

The drama film "Stuck in Time," directed by Jehu Adolfo and produced by Silakbo Productions, took home two awards. Angelo Corda was hailed Best Actor, while the group also received the Best Scene Reenactment Award for their retelling of the confrontation scene from the movie "Seven Sundays" for their prelim exam.

"Stuck in Time," written by Cydee Cabato, tells the story of Nathaniel, a neglected aspiring novel writer diagnosed with glaucoma. His life changed after meeting a girl named Isa.

The last entry, "Sayote: Bunga ng Panahon" by Ellipsis Productions, was the first documentary in the festival's three-year run. It tells the story of three of nine siblings who decided to stay in their family house while recounting their journey, mainly when they had nothing but sayote.

The movie, directed by Naomi Salditos and written by Nami Padilla, won Best Sound, which was done by Elaiza Tumale. It also got the highest total online and actual votes, making the documentary the recipient of the Audience Choice Award.

Students Marvin Igang (Best Support Actor nominee) and Rezel Wida (Best Actress nominee) served as the festival emcees. The winners of last year's festival presented the awards.

GMA's "The Clash" 2023 contestant Ralph Adrian Ramos serenaded the crowd during an intermission number.

The films were judged by video editor, sound editor, and director Mikhail Pineda, former Manila Bulletin photojournalist Jun Ryan Arañas, Super Radyo DZBB reporter Luisito Santos, and The Manila Film Festival Best Screenplay awardee Tricia Lorenzana.

Meanwhile, Kroma Entertainment and Anima Studios served as major sponsors. Kroma Entertainment is a TraDigital Entertainment company that champions Filipino creativity. On the other hand, Anima is an entertainment production studio responsible for hit films like "Hintayan ng Langit," starring Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia, and "Dead Kids," starring Vance Larena and Khalil Ramos.

Also serving as a major sponsor was investment firm JCG Capital. Other sponsors were tintinfigures and beverage business Nak Nam Fu-Cha.

The ComMotion Film Festival is the culminating activity of the students taking Introduction to Film class. The author served as the course instructor and the festival's executive producer.

The ComMotion Film Festival (a name derived from the words communication and motion) started in 2021 to highlight the filmmaking capabilities of communication students despite the Covid-19 restrictions. This was the first time the festival welcomed guests to witness the event.

The organizing committee, led by Eliesha Masiglat, spent four months ensuring the event's success this year.