The Adamson University Communication Department successfully held its fourth annual KOMMotion Film Festival (KMFF), a showcase of short films created by its third-year students, on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Four 15-minute short films from different genres participated in this year's festival, all screened before an audience inside the Adamson University Theater.

In addition, four five-minute short films, created by KOMCine, the Communication Department's film group, were also screened. These films tackled socioeconomic issues such as poverty, education, and health and wellness.

This year's film fest was in collaboration with the university's Cultural Affairs Office (CAO) and in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

In his closing remarks, Communication Department Chairperson Glenn Parungao congratulated the students for the success of their films and urged them to create more meaningful stories.

"We need more films that not only entertain us but also leave a lasting impact not just on our minds, but on our hearts, inspiring us to take action," he said.

Also present during the event were Adamson University President Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM, and the dean of the College of Education and Liberal Arts (CELA) Dr. Gliceria Lunag.

Winners

The comedy short film "Bert, Tubero!" by DOS Productions bagged three of the four special awards on Tuesday. It told the story of a plumber, Bert, whose luck turned around while fixing the clogged toilet of a rich Filipino-Japanese family.

The outrageous comedy short film directed by Ivan Sarmiento bagged the Audience Choice Award and the KOM Youth Excellence Award meant for the film that embodied the traits of Kakaiba (unique), Orihinal (original), and Malaya (free).

Lianiah Gabutin won the Scene Stealer Award for her portrayal of the stoic matriarch of the Filipino-Japanese household.

The drama science-fiction short film "Tagapagmasid" by Avalon Productions won the Cultural Spotlight Award from the Cultural Affairs Office. The award was reserved for the short film that showcased arts and culture through storytelling, innovative techniques, and impactful visuals while highlighting heritage, identity, and artistic expression, inspiring cultural pride and a deeper appreciation of humanity.

"Tagapagmasid," directed by Alan Capati, was about Thea, an alien sent to observe humans on Earth and determine their worthiness to join the galactic stage. As she carried out her mission, she befriended three college students who made her wonder if humans were really what she thought they would be.

Meanwhile, the two other short films that awed the audience were the horror short "Mateo 7:15" and another comedy, "Outdo the Other."

"Mateo 7:15" by Trese Productions and directed by Jerica Masculino, told the story of Dess, who was sent by her conservative parents to a convent in hopes of getting her back on the right path. However, the convent turned out to be more than just a place of penitence for outcasts and wrongdoers.

"Outdo the Other" by Amberella Films was about two academic high school rivals who became college roommates for a semester and how they intentionally disrupted their academics to make the other fail. It was directed by Hannah Fajardo and Allysa Gorada.

In addition to the special awards, 15 major awards patterned after the Academy Awards will be given during the SOAR Awards, the Communication Department's recognition day, in May 2025. These major awards will be determined by film and TV director and writer Zig Dulay, film and sound editor Mikhail Pineda, writer and researcher Bronte Lacsamana, KOMCine president Adrian Espino, and CAO director Cathy Cequeña.