Tacloban: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) regional office has extended an invitation to communication students in Eastern Visayas to create short films showcasing successful narratives related to the agrarian reform program in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, DAR-Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jose Alsmith Soria emphasized the significance of involving the youth in narrating the agrarian reform program's achievements through the 'PelikulAgraryo 2025' film festival. Soria noted that the festival provides a stimulating platform for tertiary-level students nationwide to merge their enthusiasm for filmmaking with advocacy for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), organizations (ARBOs), and DAR projects.

The short films should align with the festival's theme for this year, "Pag-ani sa mga Pangarap: Mga Kwento ng Pag-asa at Tagumpay sa Agraryo" (Harvest of Dreams: Agrarian Stories of Hope and Success). The competition is divided into two categories: ARB and ARBO, with all entries required to be based on true accounts of program recipients.

Eligible participants are students currently pursuing communication and media-related courses. The festival will conduct regional elimination rounds, culminating in a national finals event and an awards ceremony scheduled for April 18, 2025, in Metro Manila.

Regional winners will receive PHP30,000 for the best film in each category, PHP15,000 for second place, and PHP10,000 for third place. Additionally, awards of PHP10,000 will be given for best director, best actor, best actress, best cinematography, best editing, and best screenplay. The top films from each category will advance to the national level, where they will compete for a PHP60,000 prize for the best film, along with other accolades.

The deadline for regional submissions is February 28, 2025. In Eastern Visayas, interested students are encouraged to visit their local DAR offices for further details.