Filipino Short Film ‘KABABATA: The Way We Became’ Wins Best Director in India
Last Updated on October 6, 2026 by Over Here Toronto
Filipino short film “KABABATA: The Way We Became” has won the Best Director award at the 17th Ahmedabad International Film Festival in India.
The award gives the Philippine short another international recognition as Filipino filmmakers continue to bring local stories to festivals outside the country.
The 2026 Ahmedabad International Film Festival ran from September 29 to October 2 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It gathered films from around the world across short film, feature film, documentary, animation, and other categories.
“KABABATA: The Way We Became” competed in a festival that received thousands of entries this year.
‘KABABATA’ Takes Home Best Director
The Best Director award recognizes the filmmaking work behind “KABABATA: The Way We Became.”
The win was reported in the Philippines on October 6, days after the Indian festival ended.
At the time of writing, publicly available reports have not released a complete production profile for the short film. Its full cast, running time, and wider screening schedule have also not been widely published.
Still, its Best Director award places the project among this year’s recognized films at the Ahmedabad festival.
The award also gives the film an international credit it can carry as it moves to future screenings or festivals.
The Ahmedabad Festival Received 4,700+ Entries
The Ahmedabad International Film Festival, or AIFF, marked its 17th edition this year.
Organizers said the 2026 festival received more than 4,700 films from 150 countries.
More than 50 award categories formed part of the program.
The categories covered Indian and foreign short films, feature films, animation, documentaries, music videos, and technical work such as directing, editing, cinematography, screenplay, and visual effects.
Festival organizers described the 2026 edition as:
“Our most ambitious yet.”
The festival also puts attention on new filmmakers and stories from different countries.
Its program aims to give both local Indian filmmakers and international creators a space to show their work.
Visit the Ahmedabad International Film Festival website
The Festival Ran for Four Days in Gujarat
AIFF 2026 took place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from September 29 to October 2.
Ahmedabad is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City.
The festival uses the city as a meeting point for filmmakers, actors, producers, and other people working in cinema.
Its 2026 program included both Indian and foreign entries.
For international filmmakers, festivals like AIFF provide another way for smaller projects to reach viewers outside their home market.
That matters for short films, which often have fewer commercial cinema screenings than full-length movies.
A festival award can also help a short move to more screenings, submissions, and industry programs later.
Filipino Films Continue to Reach Overseas Festivals
“KABABATA: The Way We Became” joins a growing list of Philippine projects earning attention at international film events.
Filipino shorts often reach overseas audiences through festival circuits before getting wider online or local screenings.
These festivals can give new filmmakers room to work outside the limits of mainstream commercial cinema.
Short films can also tell stories in a smaller format. Some focus on one character or event, while others use a brief running time to deal with family, identity, memory, social issues, or everyday Filipino life.
For filmmakers, international festivals also create chances to connect with other directors and film workers.
A directing prize can be especially important because it recognizes how a filmmaker brings the parts of a movie together, from performances and visual choices to pace and storytelling.
AIFF Also Supports New Filmmakers
Ahmedabad International Film Festival says one of its goals is to help emerging talent grow.
Its program includes awards for actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, and other members of a film team.
The festival also accepts student projects.
That wider setup allows smaller productions to compete alongside projects from filmmakers working across different countries and stages of their careers.
For its 17th year, the festival highlighted three main ideas: artistic work, inclusive storytelling, and support for emerging film talent.
“KABABATA” now leaves that edition with a directing award for the Philippines.
What Comes Next for ‘KABABATA’?
No complete public schedule for the film’s next screening had been announced in the sources available at the time of writing.
Details about a Philippine screening or online release have also not been confirmed.
That means viewers interested in seeing the short may have to wait for the production team to announce its next festival stop or local release.
For now, its Best Director win in India gives “KABABATA: The Way We Became” another reason for Filipino film fans to keep it on their radar.
As more information becomes available, viewers can watch for announcements about its cast, story, screenings, and future festival run.
The Ahmedabad award adds another overseas honor for Philippine filmmaking and puts a Filipino short in front of an international film community.
