KAYA (ᜃᜌ)
Isabel Lamers | 2026
Tribeca Fil Festival 2026 (Narrative Short), HollyShorts Film Festival 2026
An outsider in her own culture, half-Filipina Nia secretly trains with queer outcast Malic to join a prestigious Filipino Martial Arts team and prove herself “Filipino enough.”
Cinematographer’s Notes:
I was excited to challenge the idea that women don’t belong in action cinema. A big part of my process was shotlisting and prevising the fight sequences, figuring out camera placement, movement, and coverage that would make the Filipino Martial Arts feel physical and impactful while preserving the clarity of the choreography. But beyond the action, what interested me was how Nia’s physical journey mirrored her search for belonging. Her struggle to feel “Filipino enough” was unfamiliar to me, and in a way, I found myself learning alongside her. Bringing this story to the screen reminded me that cinematography isn’t just about executing a visual plan; it’s also about being open to what a story can teach you. Having the film premiere at Tribeca was an incredible high, but just as rewarding was the growth that came from taking on a genre I hadn’t explored before.
IMDB link.
