iACADEMY

Fourth-year Animation students from iACADEMY emerged as true Game Changers after winning the Best Animation Film at Piling Obrang Vidyo (POV), hosted by the UP Cinema of the University of the Philippines on May 12, 2026. The annual interschool film festival showcases creative and socially relevant student films and animations from across the Philippines.

The award-winning film, ANINAG, is a 2D paperless animated short created by the iACADEMY students Kristhine Louise Asis, Ayla Jaine Gacutan, and Germaine Alliah Miranda under the Animation program. Through its touching narrative and impeccable animation, the student-directed project earned recognition for its artistry and timely storyline.

ANINAG follows the journey of a transgender girl navigating daily life raised as a boy, struggling with self-acceptance and identity. 

The ANINAG team quoted, “Seeing the other entries it stands alongside is a reminder to be confident in our art and our intent as artists while showing us how proud we should be of our accomplishments as a 3-person team, while also showing us the limitations we were placed under in creating our film and how much higher we could go,” when asked about their award-winning short film.

“One of the many goals at the iACADEMY’s School of Arts and Design is to nurture students into artists who can innovate through their art to become a voice for individuals facing personal struggles and challenges,” said Ms. Monique Fandagani, Program Coordinator for iACADEMY’s Animation Program.

Echoing this commitment, Dean Hamill Buyco of the iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts shared, “We are dedicated not only to shaping students to be fully prepared to thrive in their careers upon graduating from iACADEMY but also to developing socially aware creatives who are able to reflect meaningful perspectives and relevant societal issues through their craft.”

As the first institution in the Philippines to offer an Animation program in 2007, iACADEMY continues to lead creative education by providing students with professional training, innovative learning experiences, and globally-competitive facilities that further enhance their artistic and technical skills.

The Best Animation Film award received by ANINAG is one of the many achievements that iACADEMY proudly celebrates, serving as a testament to the institution's steadfast commitment to delivering quality education and innovative academic programs that can compete globally.