After its successful 8th edition, Indie-Siyensya now calls for submissions for its new season that focuses on the theme “Halik sa Lupa.” This year’s competition invites students, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts to expand the conversation on the interesting relationship of soil, life, and humanity.
“There’s so much more to [soil] that we have yet to discover and explore, and we want you to look beneath and beyond the ground. Gusto naming tuklasin ninyo ang lalim at lawak ng kahalagahan ng lupa,” said Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director Dr. Jayeel S. Cornelio during the kick-off event at the University of Santo Tomas on March 18, 2025.
Furthermore, he emphasized DOST-SEI’s interest in filmmaking as an avenue for fostering public conversations about science and society. “For this reason, we want to shed light on issues that bear social significance, and we want to communicate it effectively for the public to discuss, debate, and dialogue.”
Call for Entries: Youth Category and Open Category.
Youth Category
Entries for the Youth Category shall focus on the topic “Buhay na Lupa.” Through a science explainer video format, submissions shall discuss the science of soil by exploring its ecosystems, processes, and impact on life. This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 13 to 18 years old, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed five (5) minutes.
Open Category
Meanwhile, the Open Category challenges filmmakers to expound on soil as “Yamang Lupa.” Through a documentary format, entries shall explore soil from social, cultural, and economic perspectives, interrogating soil’s intricate relationship with various aspects of human life. This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 19 years old and above, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed eight (8) minutes.
Interested applicants for both categories may visit https://bit.ly/
Five (5) entries from each category will be selected as finalists. These films will form part of the Film Festival that will be screened at various Cinematheque Centers nationwide on October 7-11, 2025, and will be streamed on JuanFlix: The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Channel on October 12-31, 2025.
All finalists will vie for all major and special awards. The top three (3) films will win Php 200,000.00, Php 150,000.00, and Php 100,000.00, respectively. Meanwhile, the Viewer’s Choice winner will receive Php 20,000.00.
As the country’s first and only science filmmaking competition, DOST-SEI and FDCP annually hosts Indie-Siyensya to push the boundaries of creativity and environmental advocacy among the youth. At its core, the competition aims to engage the public, especially students, while emphasizing the importance of science and science communication in society.—Press release from DOST-SEI/MF
