iACADEMY proudly celebrates another milestone in Filipino animation as third-year Bachelor of Science in Animation students Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Pateña earned the Best Screenplay (Short Film) award at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2026 for their short film, RUNO!.
Their award-winning film, RUNO!, tells the story of a rescue aspin (asong-pinoy) named Runo navigating a zombie apocalypse in search of her owner. Through its compelling narrative, imaginative world-building, and emotional storytelling, the film demonstrates how animation can bring uniquely Filipino stories and perspectives to life.
The recognition marks another significant achievement for Catolico and Pateña, whose creative work reflects the skill, discipline, and storytelling capabilities developed through their studies at iACADEMY.
More than an academic project, RUNO! represents the potential of young Filipino animators to create stories that resonate with audiences and gain recognition within the country’s creative industry.
For iACADEMY, this achievement reinforces its commitment to developing Game Changers who are equipped to transform ideas into meaningful creative work. With RUNO!, Lysa and Jazmine prove that great stories can start in the classroom, and make their mark on the big screen.
