Ten Films Illuminate the Science of Soil in the 9th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The stage is set for the country’s most unique celebration of science and storytelling. The Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has officially unveiled the ten finalists of the 9th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, the Philippines’ pioneering and only science filmmaking contest.

Now on its ninth edition, Indie-Siyensya continues its mission of inspiring both emerging and seasoned filmmakers to translate complex scientific ideas into captivating narratives. This year’s theme, “Halik sa Lupa” (Kiss of the Earth), is a poetic yet urgent call to reexamine the intimate relationship between soil, life, and humanity.

From Seed to Story: 120 Entries, 10 Finalists

From a remarkable 120 entries nationwide, ten films have emerged as the official finalists—works that weave together soil science, indigenous ecological wisdom, and sustainable practices. Divided into Youth and Open Categories, these films prove that science is not confined to laboratories; it thrives in farms, forests, and even in the collective memory of communities.

Youth Category Finalists

Abo’t Ani – Directed by Eula Frances A. Macabodbod (Valencia National High School)

Lupang Hinirang – Directed by Lawrence C. Delos Santos (Labrador National High School)

Panagtubo: Ang Kwento ng Buhay na Lupa – Directed by Areli Joanna A. Asuncion (Tuguegarao City Science High School)

Punso – Directed by Maria Felicitti S. Sta. Catalina (Rizal National Science High School)

Soil Biodiversity: Buhay sa Ilalim, Bumubuhay sa Ibabaw – Directed by Bernice Shayne M. Dela Cruz (Pasig City Science High School)

Open Category Finalists

Damayan – Directed by Celine R. Murillo

Hinubog ng Lupa – Directed by Angelo Gabriel F. Cortes

Munting Yaman – Directed by Raymond B. Balagosa

Sa Duta sang Kabuhi – Directed by Steve C. Villasor

Tabi-Tabi Po – Directed by James Mark Caponpon

A Cinematic Pilgrimage Across the Nation

The finalists will premiere from October 7 to 11, 2025, at the Cinematheque Centre Bacolod, a venue that itself has been a hub for independent cinema in the Visayas. To widen accessibility, simultaneous free screenings will also run at Cinematheque Centres in Davao, Nabunturan, and Iloilo, ensuring that science cinema reaches audiences beyond Manila.

And for Filipinos everywhere, all films will be available for free streaming via JuanFlix (juanflix.com.ph) from October 12 to 31, 2025. Viewers can register on the platform not only to watch but also to vote for their favorite entry, making the competition an interactive experience where the public has a voice.

More Than Films: A Call to Protect the Ground Beneath Our Feet

The theme “Halik sa Lupa” resonates deeply at a time when the planet faces soil degradation, food insecurity, and the decline of traditional ecological knowledge. The films are expected to highlight soil biodiversity, sustainable farming, and indigenous practices—topics that remind us of the delicate balance between human survival and the earth’s natural systems.

Awaiting the Verdict

Winners of the 9th Indie-Siyensya will be revealed in November 2025, an announcement eagerly awaited by science advocates, educators, and filmmakers. But long before the awards are handed out, the real triumph lies in how these films will spark dialogue, inspire curiosity, and awaken Filipinos to the science of the very ground we walk on.

As the screenings approach, Indie-Siyensya once again proves that when art and science meet, the result is not just a film—but a movement.

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