Bacolod sci-fi film screens at Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival

 The Negrense independent short film “Those Little Things” has been selected to this year’s Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival as part of FRAMES: Filipino Short Film Exhibition.

With the theme “Walang Kawala,” the festival spotlights filmmakers who harness cinema to challenge systemic violence, demand accountability, and safeguard human rights.

The film transports viewers to a speculative, cyberpunk-infused Bacolod in the year 2222, weaving futuristic sci-fi worldbuilding with an intimate story about family and quiet resilience.

Produced by Kwentista Produksyon, the narrative follows a teenager navigating an ordinary day with her father, using everyday interactions to shine a light on broader social realities, human dignity, and the profound emotional weight of lived experience.

The production showcases a collaborative team of talents from Negros Occidental. Co-directed and co-produced by Poli Gonzales, who also handled the visual effects, and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa, who wrote the screenplay based on a story by Gonzales, the film features performances by Ynez Arceo as the teenager and Bon Cerbo as her father, with supporting roles played by John Arceo, cinematography by Paolo Correa, production design by Kathryn Tecson-Baynosa, and sound design by Rolf Baynosa.

Before its official selection at Active Vista, “Those Little Things” got chosen to vie for awards at the 6th Oroquieta Film Festival’s Lumayagan Shorts Competition this October. The film’s back-to-back selection solidifies its place among contemporary works that leverage creative storytelling to address complex societal truths.

“Those Little Things” screens together with a nationwide slate of short films divided into two curated programs designed to spark dialogue on human rights and justice.

Set A premieres on September 19, Saturday, 7 p.m. at Sine Pop in Cubao, showcasing Migui Francisco’s “Nang Umiyak Ang Dagat,” Dexter Paul De Jesus and Drexler Jaramel’s “Kwentong Multo,” Monique Chua’s “Eye See You,” Michael Pogoy’s “Coding si Papa,” and Nics Basco’s “Letters to Cinema.”

“Those Little Things” is featured in Set B, which debuts on September 20, Sunday, 2 p.m. at Balay Bayani inside the Bantayog Memorial Center. The Set B lineup also includes Jhayzon U Parañel’s “Manong,” Ryan Capili’s “Forms of Forgetting,” Faithy Ferrer Lacanlale’s “Mga Bulaklak sa Family Tree,” Mae Chan Li’s “Para-paraan,” and Louise Asis’s “Aninag.”

Audiences can catch “Those Little Things” during its initial Set B screening at Balay Bayani on September 20, 2 p.m., or at Harong Cafe in Quezon City on September 23, Wednesday, where Set A plays at 6 p.m. followed by Set B at 8 p.m.