Pinoy pride will continue to shine this year as we welcome another major achievement in the world of animation.
Photo: Runo! Studios/YouTube
From April 30 to May 3, 2026, Filipino storytellers and creatives will make their mark at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) as they gear up to introduce the student-led animated short film Runo! to the world. The heartfelt tale has been selected for the festival’s Duty Free program, which showcases a diverse range of short films that transcend geographical borders.
View this post on Instagram
Before joining this year’s LAAPFF, Runo! and its remarkable team partook in multiple local film festivals that have championed notable independent directors, actors, and producers over the years. In 2025, Runo! was among the many short films of the QCinema International Film Festival. And earlier this month, cinema-goers got to see the heartfelt tale at the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) I Animate special screenings.
Runo! is a love letter to Filipino culture and animal welfare with a touch of home in every frame. Here’s what you should know about the animated short film before it captures everyone’s hearts at the LAAPFF:
An Adventure That Knows No Bounds
Runo! combines various elements of fantasy and science fiction (sci-fi) with the familiarity of everyday life in a Filipino household. The short film revolves around the titular character, a stray dog who wanders through a treacherous, apocalyptic Philippines to fetch her owner.
Despite the long, empty roads ahead and looming dangers that come her way, Runo has her heart set on reuniting with the young woman who raised her (voiced by Nour Hooshmand), even if it means facing her worst enemy—an empty food bowl.
The short film builds its story around warm, vivid color palettes, resembling the fun-filled afternoons that many Filipinos used to spend with their friends as kids. We also catch a glimpse of the home Runo grew up in, littered with memorabilia that fills the short film’s atmosphere with sentiment and nostalgia.
From misplaced valuables to a makeshift altar and a wall adorned with picture frames, it’s safe to say that watching Runo! will fondly remind every Filipino of the living spaces and neighborhoods that raised them, no matter where in the world they watch it from.
The Outstanding Minds Behind Runo!
View this post on Instagram
Bringing a short film to fruition—an animated one, at that—is no walk in the park. That’s why we can’t help but applaud the remarkable minds behind Runo! who poured their hearts and souls into this short but inspirational labor of love.
Runo! is the first short film under Runo Studios, a collective of young Filipino artists who tell stories through animation. Directors Jazmine Gin R. Pateña and Lysa Catolico launched the group in May last year, when Runo! entered the QCinema Shorts program.
Award-winning animator and writer Carl Joseph Papa also contributed to the success of Runo! as one of the short film’s producers. With his globally renowned body of work, which includes Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing) and The Last 24 Hours, to name a few, there’s no doubt that Runo! is bound to reach the same heights of acclaim.
More Animation Milestones to Anticipate
View this post on Instagram
We’re only in the first quarter of the year, but we can already look forward to many more breakthroughs in Philippine animation in the months to come. While Runo! raises our flag at the LAAPFF, here are more Filipino-led animated projects that are destined for international recognition and success:
- Forgotten Island, the latest epic adventure from DreamWorks, which highlights Filipino culture and history through its strong female leads and all-star cast,
- The Lovers, a sapphic short film between a siren and a seafood chef, which premieres this year on YouTube,
- Sun Chaser, an upcoming animated series that recently revealed its must-watch lineup of voice actors, including Liza Soberano, Dolly de Leon, and Dingdong Dantes, as well as
- Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko, an exciting sci-fi flick based on Julius Villanueva’s beloved comic book series.
If there’s anything these much-awaited projects tell us, it’s that magic happens when we invest in our local creatives and their lifelong passions. It’s high time we get more involved in their contributions to the arts, pop culture, and entertainment, especially knowing how far they can truly go.
ALSO READ: This New Filipino Video Game Lets You Help Animal Shelters Just by Playing
Have you already had a chance to watch this heartwarming short film? Share your thoughts on it with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
