Mimaropa student filmmakers capture agrarian reform stories in festival

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Student filmmakers from across the Mimaropa region have been recognized for their creative work documenting the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries, earning top honors at the second annual PelikulAgraryo festival organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The festival showcased 13 film entries submitted by 10 production teams representing eight schools throughout the Mimaropa region. The student-produced works focused on the struggles, aspirations, and resilience of farming communities and reform beneficiaries, translating real-world agricultural challenges into compelling cinema.

Two films emerged as best films in this year's competition, reflecting the quality and depth of storytelling demonstrated by the young filmmakers. The festival provides a platform for students to engage with agrarian issues through documentary and narrative filmmaking, fostering awareness of rural development and land reform in the Philippines.

The PelikulAgraryo initiative underscores the Department of Agrarian Reform's commitment to supporting youth participation in agricultural discourse while encouraging creative expression around farming communities and rural livelihoods across the Mimaropa region, which encompasses Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Palawan, and Romblon provinces.