Vox Humana

a film by

Philippines, USA, Singapore | 22' | 09/2024 | fiction

In the aftermath of an earthquake, the police find a man in the woods. A zoologist, a sound recorder, and a news team grapple with the truth that he may be the cause of all the natural disasters that devastated this small mountain town.

“With excellent sound design, skillful cinematography, and an incisive story structure this movie intentionally uses a little to provide a lot to consider.”
Square Eyes - OfficialSelection_2024-black
Square Eyes - Sundance_Black
Square Eyes - Clermont
“With excellent sound design, skillful cinematography, and an incisive story structure this movie intentionally uses a little to provide a lot to consider.”
Square Eyes - OfficialSelection_2024-black
Square Eyes - Sundance_Black
Square Eyes - Clermont
Crew Festivals Press materials Jury statements

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan

Biography

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan is a Filipino filmmaker. Known for The Headhunter’s Daughter (Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner), Hilum (Clermont-Ferrand Student Prize), and Cold Cut (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight), his works explore themes of trauma, spirituality, and nature told through the cosmic lens of post-colonial spaces and indigenous identities.

Filmography

  • Umbilical Cord to Heaven (2019) – experimental short
  • Hilum (2021) – narrative short
  • The Headhunter’s Daughter (2023) – narrative short
  • Vox Humana (2024) – narrative short
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Crew

Director: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan
Scriptwriter: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan
Producer: Hannah Schierbeek, Alemberg Ang
Co-producer: Tan Si En
Image: Vincent Prochoroff
Sound Design: Henry Hawks
Sound Mixer: Nicholas Varela
Editor: Brandon Bunner
Cast: Sasa Cabalquinto, Ymeiliza Tabora, Bruce Venida

Festivals

100+ selections, 19 awards

Select highlights: 

  • Toronto International Film Festival, Canada (5 – 15 September, 2024)
    Short Cuts Competition
  • Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Canada (9 – 20 October, 2024)
    International Competition Won: Silver Wolf for Best Short Film
  • Chicago International Film Festival, United States (16 – 27 October, 2024)
    Action Short Film Competition Won: Gold Hugo for Best Live Action Short Film
  • SEMINCI – Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain (18 – 26 October 2024)
    Competition
  • Uppsala Short Film Festival, Sweden (21 – 27 October, 2024)
    International Competition
  • Singapore International Film Festival, Singapore (28 November – 8 December, 2024)
    Southeast Asian Short Film Competition Won: Best Performance
  • Hainan Island International Film Festival, China (4 – 10 December, 2024)
    Golden Coconut Competition Section Won: Best Short Film
  • Sundance International Film Festival, United States (23 January – 2 February, 2025)
    Official Short Film Competition
  • Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, France (31 January – 8 February, 2025)
    International Competition Won: Student Jury – Best International Film
  • Tampere International Short Film Festival, Finland (5 – 16 March, 2025)
    International Competition
  • Glasgow Short Film Festival, United Kingdom (19 – 23 March, 2025)
    International Competition
  • Aspen Shortsfest, United States (31 March – 6 April, 2025)
    Competition

Password




Press materials

EPK: Click here

Stills & directors’ photos: Click here

Dialogue lists – English: Click here

Downloadable trailer: Vimeo & Youtube

Excerpts: Click here

Jury statements

“The timely short film elegantly brings together a nexus of ideas surrounding human impact on the natural environment. Incorporating magical realism into a low-fi sci-fi story, Vox Humana dissects notions of human dominion over animals, explores areas where the natural world overlaps with organized human development, and considers contemporary society’s relationships with indigenous legacies. With excellent sound design, skillful cinematography, and an incisive story structure this movie intentionally uses a little to provide a lot to consider.”
Chicago International Film Festival – Golden Hugo for Best Live-Action Short Film

“This international short film was selected for its breathtaking cinematic prowess and global thematic resonance. Using immersive sound design, expansive cinematography, transfixing physical performances, lyrical editing, and directorial restraint, it delivers an urgent call from the near future for connection across cultures — and across species — in the face of climate collapse”
Durban International Film Festival – Best Short Film

“A deeply spiritual and captivating film — visually stunning with exceptional cinematography and narration. It offers a truly original and inspiring perspective on the fragility of human nature, without ever becoming didactic. The layered performances, the originality of the story, and the beautiful music all come together to create something rare and unforgettable.”
Psarokokalo International Short Film Festival – Best Screenplay

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