Students from CIIT College of Arts and Technology are gaining recognition not only nationally but also on the international stage! At the recently concluded BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, held from March 13-24, 2024, at BFI Southbank in London, a thesis film by one of our talented students was selected.
ILI-ILI (Little One) is a film by Clister Santos that tells the story of Joy, the daughter of a Filipino same-sex couple, and her journey in seeking parental guidance while discovering the true essence of parenthood. Featuring the voice acting of Mr. Bodjie Pascua, a Filipino stage and screen actor best known as “Kuya Bodjie” from children’s television, the film brings a nostalgic and moving touch to the storyline.
The film was showcased as part of the ‘Drawn This Way’ Shorts Programme – Heart Strand on March 16 at NFT1, BFI Southbank, and was available for viewing on BFI Player. Additionally, ILI-ILI was featured at FilmPride – Brighton & Hove Pride LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in the United Kingdom.
“Ili-Ili” Travels the World as Part of #FiveFilmsForFreedom
Clister’s keen eye for direction and animation earned him a coveted spot at the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. His film was also chosen for the prestigious #FiveFilmsForFreedom in 2024. Through this project, Filipino filmmakers now have a greater opportunity to showcase their skill for deeply personal stories anchored in love, identity, and resilience while competing on a global level.
Ili-Ili has been featured in various prestigious venues across multiple countries, including:
- Ireland: Galway Arts Centre
- Belgium: Scotland House Brussels
- New Zealand: City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi
- Thailand: Thai Film Archive
- Bulgaria: The Steps
- Hong Kong: British Consulate General Hong Kong
- Japan: SHIBAURA HOUSE
- Mozambique: British Council Mozambique
- Myanmar: British Council Myanmar
- China: British Consulate-General Shanghai
- El Salvador: El Museo Nacional de Antropología (MUNA)
- Germany: British Embassy Berlin
- Philippines: UP Cebu, National Teachers College, Montañosa Film Festival & Balanghai Cinematheque
- India: India Habitat Centre – Habitat International Film Festival, Sampark – Rainbow Hills Welfare Association, The We4We Project, British Council Kolkata, Arthshila Shantiniketan, Sandbox Collective, British Council Chennai, Harkat Studios, Arthshila Ahmedabad, The Storiculture Company
- Greece: Love Unbound Fest 2024 in Thessaloniki & Athens
- Wales: Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff
- Taiwan: British Office Taipei
- Venezuela: Trasnocho Cultural
Here’s to Inspiring Fearless Creators!
Clister’s journey from a CIIT student to a celebrated filmmaker is an inspiration to the entire CIIT community. His film ILI-ILI highlights his talent and reflects the values and vision of CIIT, encouraging students to become fearless creators and innovators.
We are incredibly proud of you, Clister! We hope to support more students in achieving their dreams and making a positive impact on the world through their creative endeavors.
For those aspiring to follow in Clister’s footsteps, CIIT offers a unique educational experience that nurtures creativity and innovation. Apply now to become a CIITzen at CIIT Admissions. To learn more about CIIT and its programs, visit CIIT.