‘Those Little Things’ sci-fi film vies for 6th Oroquieta Filmfest

 Misamis Occidental turns into a vibrant hub for independent cinema as the 6th Oroquieta Film Festival showcases 28 selected works from across the Visayas and Mindanao from October 12 to 15. Among the entries chosen for the Lumayagan Shorts Competition is “Those Little Things,” a sci-fi short film hailing from Negros Occidental.

Produced under Kwentista Produksyon, the short film transports viewers to the year 2222 in a cyberpunk version of Bacolod. The plot follows a teenager (Ynez Arceo) navigating a seemingly routine day with her father (Bon Cerbo), completely unaware that a surprise awaits her.

Beneath its futuristic exterior, the film balances speculative technology with deeply human warmth, exploring the quiet bonds between parent and child against a high-tech backdrop. John Arceo plays different characters as a supporting actor.

Co-directors and co-producers Poli Gonzales, who also supervised the visual effects team, and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa, who also wrote the screenplay, faced the ambitious challenge of constructing an entire sci-fi universe within a short production window. Refuting initial doubts, the team brought their vision of future Bacolod to life through grit and artistic collaboration.

“There were endless ‘what ifs’ and doubts if we could pull this off with the time frame given to us, but we did it. We made it happen. We introduced Lara and Tatay. This was a story woven with challenges, creativity, and passion to create a vivid, engaging world. It is driven by a force to push beyond the limits, creating a world that is non-existent while still being relevant and relatable,” Gonzales-Gamboa shared.

“Every scene had its own nuances from the year 2222 to Tatay, Lara, the social issues, technology and many more. Without you realizing it, you came to see that it was ‘Those Little Things’ that encapsulates the essence of the story, emphasizing how seemingly small or mundane elements can come together to form something meaningful and memorable,” she added.

Apart from the two director-producers, the other Negrense creatives who crafted the visual and auditory landscape of a futuristic Negros include co-producer Georgia Mari Elardo, director of photography Paolo Correa, associate producer and production designer Kathryn Tecson-Baynosa, sound designer Rolf Baynosa, musical scorers Laurens Uberas and Baynosa, editor Ninya Duleton, visual effects artists Enrique Raul Varon, Donna Fe Marfito, Michael Bryan Bello, Timothy Franz Gelvoligaya, Bon Andy Padilla and Joshua Wayco, assistant cameraman Kenth John Ferrer Dondonayo, assistant director Aireianne Margaret Ordinario, production manager Dani Algara, art director Luigi De Guzman, prop crafter Clinton Puerta, set dresser Hervinell Pahila, production set assistant Luigi Maghari, setman Alihap Serenas Herbs, food stylist Denzel Perez, wardrobe coordinator Leaden Rubica, hair and makeup artist Carlos Durana Jr. and assistant Cookz M. Compao, key grip Jofel Ramos, lighting crew Angelo Tubongbanua and Lourd Tormis, gaffer Enrique Raul Varon, best boy Carlos Adrian Liza, logistics head Bello, production assistants Marfito and Antonio Ongque, behind-the-scenes photographer and videographer Hernan Bes Baldevia, and utility boy Renald Padriquel.

As one of three entries representing Negros Occidental in the Lumayagan Shorts Competition, “Those Little Things” stands as a bold testament to the evolving scale and artistic reach of regional filmmaking.