By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Directed by Richard Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay, Utwas (Arise) “Utwas” (Arise) is a film about a boy who attains a deeper connection with the ocean as he learns to be one with it.

Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay (AB Masscom ’19) and Richard Salvadico’s (BS DMIA ’18) short film “Utwas” recently garnered a nomination for the Best Film award at the 16th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

“Utwas” was one of the 10 films that vied for the Best Film Award during the first virtual awarding ceremony of the Cinemalaya on August 12.

Out of 244 entries, the short film was among the ten chosen for the nomination.

Richard Salvadico.

Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay.

“Utwas” (Arise) is a film about a boy who attains a deeper connection with the ocean as he learns to be one with it.

In 2019, the film won Best Picture, Best Cinematography, and Best Direction at the 7th Cinekasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival.

Sumagaysay and Salvadico have been participating in regional and national filmmaking competitions since 2018. Over the years, they have won accolades from Gawad Alternatibo, CineMaybank, and CineKabataan.