MANILA, Philippines — iAcademy, the first and only educational institution to partner with Netflix, continues to empower a new generation of filmmakers through iNDIEGENIUS.
Launched early this year, iNDIEGENIUS is the first program of its kind in the Philippines to be supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity. It aims to provide young filmmakers with development opportunities to strengthen concepts and to produce short narratives, animation and documentary projects.
The program is designed to give young Filipino filmmakers access to resources and encourage those with regional roots and indigenous backgrounds to ensure creative inclusion and diversity.
“It is imperative to support young filmmakers with their authentic stories since they know these narratives through first-hand experience. This is the gap iAcademy through iNDIEGENIUS is attempting to bridge. In so doing, we aim to be a part of the solution in addressing disparities in access to funding and creating equal and sustainable opportunities for a wider spectrum of creatives,” said Keith Sicat, iAcademy Vision creative director and iNDIEGENIUS program lead.
The school recently named two winners under the iNDIGENIUS program – Shane David and Maria Kyle Torato who both received P500,000 production grant each (the highest available short film grant in the Philippines to date).
The winners will start filming next month and are committed to finishing their films before the end of this year.
iNDIEGENIUS received around 300 applications from young and talented filmmakers all over the country. After a rigorous selection process by film directors, 20 made it to the semifinals, and 10 projects were chosen to be finalists. The 10 finalists who were selected went through a month-long workshop and mentorship conducted by today’s film giants.