Iloilo law student wins big at TikTok’s first #ForYouPelikula Short Film Festival
“Hi, loves!”
You might have seen her movie and show reviews on TikTok if your algorithm is leaning on entertainment content. Her 854,000 thousand-strong following on the short video platform is telling of her skills in capturing her audience with conversational discussions on her film and streaming.
“I’m not really particular with numbers. What’s important to me is the quality of the engagement I get from my community and if I’m able to share something that probably comforts them,” said Novy Recate, a law student-turned-content creator.
The past few weeks have been eventful for her—she was among the chosen fellows at QCinema International Film Festival’s first Critics Lab, she learned from the best Southeast Asian creators at the TikTok Awards in Vietnam, and even before the month ends, she won big at TikTok Philippines’ first #ForYouPelikula Short Film Festival.
Among the five shortlisted entries, her entry JackPat, which was turned into a short titled Lotto by Viva, won Best Short Film, Best Actor (Justin Cesar Samia), and Best Actress (Alyanna Rayos).
The story revolves around a couple, Jack and Pat, whose enviable romance seemed perfect until they won the jackpot prize at a lottery draw.
@tiktoktainmentph Title: JACKPAT Creator: @novymaerecate Cast & Production Staff: Miguel Antonio Sonza, Alain Nathaniel Lapid, Justin Samia, Yanna Rayos #ForYouPelikula ♬ original sound - TikTok Entertainment PH
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Recate shared that the story lived in her head for years so telling it on TikTok was a breeze. “When it comes to writing it, ‘di ko na talaga siya sinulat, so basically, it’s just how I say it to my friends. It was really a quick video and if I remember correctly, I shot this with other vids because I was really excited with this one and I never thought that it would be a finalist. So ayun, this is really a pleasant surprise for me,” she said.
Recate added that she was content with being a finalist in the competition. “I’m just really happy and grateful because in my mind, ‘Oh my God, I’m gonna see my ideas come to life.’”
When asked if she would delve into filmmaking, she said that her priorities are still different at the moment. “I’m still in school, I’m in law school. Right now, I’m focused on finishing the sem, and of course, my content creation schedule, like the posts I have to do in the last few months of the year,” she explained.
Recate also shared tips for aspiring storytellers on the platform. “Talk to the camera or talk to the app. Make videos as if you are talking to a friend. This is really cliche but just be authentic,” she said.
Another tip is to never talk about things you know nothing about. “If I’m not knowledgeable at a certain thing, then I wouldn’t talk about it because it wouldn’t be value-adding to my audience,” she explained.
Recate added that knowing the kind of value a content creator puts out there is really important so that they will stay grounded. “You’ll have something to ground yourself when you’re being demotivated. Once you have that purpose, you’ll never run out of ideas, you’ll never run out of content.”
Meanwhile, Nomi by Rico Romano Kamatoy won Best Entry. His submission was already an edited short telling a tragic story of a teenage boy who keeps going to the beach with his friends.
“Maging observant lang tayo sa paligid at galing doon, pwede tayong maka-create ng story,” he advised aspiring filmmakers.
@pelikulaniromano Nomi. #filmtok #ForYouPelikula ♬ original sound - Pelikula ni Romano
Kamatoy and Recate both received a cash prize of ₱50,000 for winning the top awards.
Other finalists were Kismet by Genesis James Manlapaz, Time Travel by Princess Joy Jarabe, and Kambal by Steve Walter Magay and Nyx Magay.
The TikTok #ForYouPelikula Short Film Festival was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Taguig.