Filipino animation students reach finals of Disney-Netflix global contest
MAKATI CITY, Philippines — Filipino students secured the 12th spot in the 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students, an annual global competition backed by entertainment giants Disney, Netflix, Toon Boom, Lucasfilm and DreamWorks.
More than 760 teams from top international schools joined the event.
Students from iACADEMY, school under STI Holdings, achieved the milestone with their short film "Love and War".
The team — Alexa Lising, Charlie Ann Luspo, Marianne Faith Amaro and Mario Oliver Abano Bete — collectively known as Team Dead Horse, impressed judges with a visually poetic interpretation of a complex theme, according to BS Animation Program Coordinator Monique Fandagani.
The 24 Hours Animation Contest challenges teams to create a 30-second animated film within a day, following the theme “Flip Your Perspective” written by Pixar’s Pete Docter.
Competing against world-renowned institutions such as the California Institute of the Arts, Ringling College of Art and Design and Sheridan College, iACADEMY was the only Philippine school to make it to the Top 20.
“Reaching the global stage alongside institutions recognized by Disney and other creative powerhouses proves that our vision at iACADEMY is taking shape,” said Hamill Buyco, Dean of iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts. “The recognition of our students among global names proves that Filipino creativity meets international standards of excellence.”
From pioneering animation education in the Philippines to competing with Hollywood-backed institutions, iACADEMY continues to prove that Filipino imagination knows no boundaries — with creativity rooted in culture and excellence driven by purpose.