International Short Film (Philippines), 20 minutes, Texas Premiere

Synopsis:

Set in 2005, follows third-grader Raya Carpio as she struggles with stage fright and societal judgment during a school family showcase. When questions arise about her unconventional family, Raya hesitates to invite her mother, Sabel, to an upcoming Family Day. With the help of her friend Makoy, Raya sends heartfelt messages via paper airplanes, hoping to bridge their emotional gap. Though the plan falters, a heartfelt trip brings mother and daughter closer, revealing the depth of their bond. This poignant tale celebrates acceptance, resilience, and the enduring love between parent and child.

Iane Nicole Artillaga

Bio:

IANE ARTILLAGA - Writer, Director, Producer

Iane Artillaga is a freelance Production Designer, Art Director, and filmmaker from San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines. A graduate of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Film, specializing in Screenwriting, she began her creative practice through poetry before finding her voice in screenwriting and, eventually, production design. Drawn to the art of world-building, she creates immersive spaces where visual storytelling deepens emotional experience, believing that every detail contributes to a story's emotional truth.

Her work explores themes of memory, longing, childhood, and the quiet emotions that often go unspoken. These ideas found their fullest expression in Raya Among the Clouds, developed alongside her collaborators, Vinnie and Justin. Inspired by their shared childhood experiences, the film reflects on growing up with emotions they could not yet name—longing for the presence of loved ones while trying to understand circumstances beyond their years. Looking back as adults, they came to reinterpret those memories with greater compassion, recognizing the resilience, trust, and quiet understanding that existed within their younger selves. Through a story that can be embraced by children yet deeply resonate with adults, Raya Among the Clouds invites audiences to revisit forgotten memories and gently reconnect with the parts of themselves that continue to seek understanding and healing.

Beyond her narrative work, Iane continues to expand her visual practice across films, advertisements, music videos, and branded content. She has contributed to the Filipino feature films Open Ending (2025) as a Logistics Intern and The Loved One (2026) as a Set Dresser, while also working on production design for campaigns with brands including Jollibee, Grab PH, Sunnies Studios, and among others. While her practice continues to evolve across different mediums, filmmaking remains the heart of her creative journey.

She creates worlds where stories, feelings, and experiences thrive—spaces where memory becomes tangible, emotions find form, and audiences are invited to see themselves reflected in the quiet beauty of everyday life.

VICTORIA NICOLE “VINNIE” JAPLIT - Editor, Producer

Victoria Nicole “Vinnie” Japlit is a video editor based in Houston, Texas. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to the United States in 2022 and continues to bring a cross-cultural perspective to her work. A graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Filmmaking specializing in Post-production, Vinnie has contributed to projects for Coca-Cola, sports content featuring an Olympic athlete, and short-form entertainment news productions in the Philippines.

Vinnie enjoys creating narrative films that reflect the complexities of everyday life. Inspired by real experiences, her work explores quiet moments, unspoken emotions, and the feelings that often stay with people long after they happen. She aims to tell stories that connect with audiences through honesty, empathy, and emotional depth.

Her work along with Iane and Justine has been selected for the Sioux City International Film Festival (2025), Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (2026), and this year’s South Texas International Film Festival. In 2025, Vinnie was also selected to participate in Platform Busan at the Busan International Film Festival, an international program in South Korea that brought together emerging filmmakers from around the world to exchange ideas, build creative connections, and further develop their craft.

Outside of filmmaking, Vinnie enjoys collecting childhood toys and trinkets and taking spontaneous trips with friends. She finds inspiration in nostalgia, everyday moments, and the people she meets along the way, having experiences that continue to shape the stories she chooses to tell.