iACADEMY

Pia Duran, a mentee from the inaugural batch of iACADEMY’s iNDIEGENIUS program, has secured the prestigious 2076 Kolektib Film Prize (Best Film) at the ALT-R Heroes 2025 awards for her documentary, Sama Bella.

The film, which was honored during "The Final Frame" ceremony on December 15 at Sine Pop, Quezon City, follows the life of Bella, an indigenous Sama Bajau transgender woman reclaiming her identity and livelihood. The jury praised the documentary for its "grounded storytelling" and its powerful portrayal of the intersection between trans and indigenous identities, aligning with the festival's theme, "From LGBT Rights to Human Rights."

Developed over a two-year journey, Sama Bella gained significant international momentum after being selected by One World Media London as one of only ten global stories to be produced in 2023. This global recognition was bolstered by the mentorship Duran received through the iNDIEGENIUS Storytelling Lab, an initiative designed to empower Filipino filmmakers to bring complex, culturally specific narratives to the world stage.

Duran’s win underscores the success of the iNDIEGENIUS program in fostering diverse voices. In a social media post reflecting on the win, Duran expressed deep gratitude to the iNDIEGENIUS mentors for their "full trust" in her ability to tell a multi-layered story involving the "rotten systems" and "informal economies" faced by the indigenous trans community.

As part of iACADEMY’s commitment to "Game Changing" education and industry-aligned mentorship, the iNDIEGENIUS program continues to bridge the gap between local student talent and international standards. Duran’s achievement serves as a testament to the institution’s mission to produce filmmakers who do not just create content, but drive social impact and cultural preservation through their craft.