A science fiction short film from Negros Occidental has been officially selected to compete at the 5th edition of Sognielettrici | Electricdreams International Film Festival in Milan, Italy.
“Those Little Things,” produced by Kwentista Produksyon, will vie for awards in the short feature section of Electricdreams, as it also makes its international premiere in Italy.
Running from October 26 to October 30, at Università IULM, the five-day festival is dedicated to speculative, sci-fi, and fantastic fiction films.
The event uses speculative genres not merely as escapist entertainment, but as a lens to examine real-world human experiences.
Co-directed and co-produced by Poli Gonzales and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa, “Those Little Things” transports viewers to a cyberpunk-infused version of Bacolod City in the year 2222. The former also supervised the visual effects, while the latter penned the screenplay.
The narrative follows a teenager named Lara (Ynez Arceo) navigating what feels like an ordinary day with her father, Tatay (Bon Cerbo). John Arceo provided support, playing different characters in the film.
Beneath its high-tech visuals and futuristic worldbuilding lies a tender, grounded story about familial warmth and father-daughter bonds, culminating in a surprise.
The other key members of the production team include co-producer Georgia Mari Elardo, director of photography Paolo Correa, associate producer and production designer Kathryn Tecson-Baynosa, sound designer Rolf Baynosa, musical scorers Laurens Uberas and Baynosa, and editor Ninya Duleton.
Completing the team are visual effects artists Enrique Raul Varon, Donna Fe Marfito, Michael Bryan Bello, Timothy Franz Gelvoligaya, Bon Andy Padilla and Joshua Wayco, assistant cameraman Kenth John Ferrer Dondonayo, assistant director Aireianne Margaret Ordinario, production manager Dani Algara, art director Luigi De Guzman, prop crafter Clinton Puerta, set dresser Hervinell Pahila, production set assistant Luigi Maghari, setman Alihap Serenas Herbs, food stylist Denzel Perez, wardrobe coordinator Leaden Rubica, hair and makeup artist Carlos Durana Jr. and assistant Cookz M. Compao, key grip Jofel Ramos, lighting crew Angelo Tubongbanua and Lourd Tormis, gaffer Enrique Raul Varon, best boy Carlos Adrian Liza, logistics head Bello, production assistants Marfito and Antonio Ongque, behind-the-scenes photographer and videographer Hernan Bes Baldevia, and utility boy Renald Padriquel.
“Those Little Things” recently screened at the Active Vista Human Rights Film Festival under the FRAMES Filipino Short Film Exhibition. It will also compete from October 12 to 14 in the Lumayagan Shorts Competition at the 6th Oroquieta Film Festival in Misamis Occidental.
Electricdreams offers free admission across all screenings, masterclasses, and accompanying academic panels at the Università IULM 6 Open Space (Sala dei 146 and Auditorium).
By bringing a uniquely Filipino family dynamic into a futuristic setting, “Those Little Things” demonstrates how regional films can bridge local stories with international science fiction.
