Water Sports

a film by

Philippines | 19' | 11/2024 | narrative

Jelson and Ipe, students deep in love, undergo trials of the mind and body as they prepare themselves to survive a world devastated by climate change. Jelson and Ipe soon learn that maybe the best way to survive the end of the world is to simply just live, laugh, and love.

Square Eyes - FF_2025_Laurel_ShortsWithLegsWinner_Black
Square Eyes - laurels-12 (1)
Square Eyes - FFG_AWARD_LOGO_Black_Selected
Square Eyes - FF_2025_Laurel_ShortsWithLegsWinner_Black
Square Eyes - laurels-12 (1)
Square Eyes - FFG_AWARD_LOGO_Black_Selected
Crew Festivals Press materials Jury statements

Whammy Alcazaren

Biography

WHAMMY ALCAZAREN is a multi-awarded director and production designer. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, a participant of the 2013 13 Little Pictures Film lab in Singapore, the 2016 Festival Belluard Bollwek Watch and talk Residency in Switzerland, and Berlinale Talents 2024.
His first short film, BOLD EAGLE, won Best International Short at the Fantasia Film Festival 2023. It screened at the New York Film Festival 2023 and Sundance Film Festival 2024. He is currently in development of his 4th feature film, ‘Noodles, Our Love was Instant and Forever’.
He likes cats.

Filmography

Colossal – 2012 – feature
Islands – 2013 – feature
Fisting: Never Tear Us Apart – 2018 – feature
Bold Eagle – 2022 – short film
Water Sports – 2024 – short film

Square Eyes -

Crew

Director: Whammy Alcazaren
Producer: Alemberg Ang, Mara Ravelo Bernaldo
Production company: Daluyong Studios
Image: Berhil Cruz
Art Design: Ana Lou Sanchez, Whammy Alcazaren
Sound Design: Danjo Galapon
Editor: Carlo Francisco Manatad
Music: Caloy Soliongco, Sage Ilagan, obese.dogma777
Cast: Elijah Canlas, John Renz Javier, Ricky Davao, Bon Andrew Lentejas

Festivals

50+ selections, 6 awards

Select highlights: 

  • Qcinema International Film Festival, Philippines (8 – 17 November, 2024)
    QShorts International
  • SXSW London, United Kingdom (2 – 7 June, 2025)
    Competition
  • Kurzfilm Festival Hamburg, Germany (3 – 8 June, 2025)
    Competition Special Mention
  • Olhar de Cinema – Curitiba International Film Festival, Brazil (11 – 19 June, 2025)
    International Competition
  • Silhouette Festival, France (29 August – 6 September, 2025)
    International Selection & Experimental Selection Won: Hybrid Award
  • Drama International Short Film Festival, Greece (8 – 14 September, 2025)
    Short&Green Competition
  • Kyiv International Short Film Festival, Ukraine (4 – 10 September, 2025)
    Competition
  • Fantastic Fest, United States (18 – 25 September, 2025)
    Competition Won: Best Of Fest Award & Best Picture – Shorts With Legs category
  • New York Film Festival, United States (26 September – 13 October, 2025)
    Competition
  • BRNO16 – International Film Festival, Czech Republic (1 – 5 October, 2025)
    Competition Honorable Mention Student Jury
  • Kreives – Vilnius Queer Festival, Lithuania (5 – 9 October, 2025)
    International Competition Won: Best Short Film
  • Film Fest Gent, Belgium (9 – 20 October, 2025)
    International Competition 
  • Chicago International Film Festival, United States (15 – 26 October, 2025)
    Live Action Short Film Competition
  • AFI Fest, United States (22 – 26 October, 2025)
    Live Action Competition Special Jury Mention for Vision
  • interfilm – International Short Film Festival, Germany (4 – 9 November, 2025)
    International Competition Won: Best Sound Design
  • Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Canada (5 – 23 November, 2025)
    Competition
  • Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, Indonesia (29 November – 6 December, 2025)
    Light of Asia Competition  

Password




Press materials

EPK: Click here

Stills, poster & directors’ photos: Click here

Dialogue lists – English: Click here

Downloadable trailer: Vimeo

Excerpts: Click here

 

 

Jury statements

“With its unique vision, striking visuals and innovative storytelling, this feisty, playful and trippy short film is not only a feast for the senses but also manages to immerse us into a ravishing nightmare of living in the midst of apocalypse.”
Blencong Award – Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival ’25

“We appreciated the bold form and the complexity of themes in this film. With captivating energy, the film delves into a passionate love story, elevating the personal to the universal by touching upon the climate crisis. It was a brave – and at times haunting – journey that we all felt was as enjoyable as it was important.”
Best Short Film – Kreives – Vilnius Queer Festival ’25

home