The International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT), Asia’s Premier Film School, is renowned for reeling in next-generation filmmakers who ride fierce passion, deliver their A-games and exude indomitable daring to go against the tide. IAFT students are uniquely pioneering and are leagues apart from their peers at a global scale. With the film school’s unparalleled facilities, roster of world-class mentors and location in the idyllic island of Mactan, Cebu, they are honed at the hub of today’s most cutting-edge in filmmaking.

Last August, Class 4-07, the new students comprising 2007’s most recent term, was given the trademark IAFT welcome and orientation seminar. Needless to say, everyone had a blast and went on to shoot off their first term on a high note!

Now, it’s just been barely over a month since the latest batch of the filmmaking program splashed into IAFT’s state of the art campus, and already their first film projects are on the berth of making waves.

So what are you waiting for? Kick back, hang loose, and meet some of Class 4-07’s finest!

Aaron Palabyab

People call me… Aaron (pronounced ahh-run or air-run, hehe)

I chose IAFT because… I want to get the best possible preparation for a career both here and abroad.

At IAFT, I wish to… Learn a lot, meet a lot of future colleagues, and make and help on as many films as I can to come up with a kick-ass demo reel.

I get streaks of inspiration from… Any great film or video, from the insights of classmates, colleagues and teachers, from the world around me, from anything!

Hands down, my favorite film of all time is… Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Previous works/work experience under my belt… A bunch of videos and short films I did in school, and a short stint as a PA in a commercial production house in Makati.

Five years from now I’ll be… A busy cinematographer and photographer doing jobs locally and internationally. (I hope!)

Angelo Agojo

People call me… Angelo

I chose IAFT because… For its international standards and the top-of-the line equipment… the best choice there is within the country

At IAFT, I wish to… Continually learn about the different aspects of filmmaking while enjoying the process

I get streaks of inspiration from… Life in general, whether events are good or bad, I am somehow able to get ideas from those.

Hands down, my favorite film of all time is… Catch Me If You Can, although I’m also a big fan of those spoof movies and the horror/thriller genre.

Previous works/work experience under my belt… None, complete newbie in the filmmaking biz

Five years from now I’ll be… Hopefully a good director with works that I can be proud of; I also hope to be able to integrate my knowledge in digital arts with the skills I’ll be having from the filmmaking course I’m taking up now.

Michelle Simbulan

People call me… Shellz or Shell

I chose IAFT because… It offered the finest, most equipped school in Asia that houses world class mentors.

At IAFT, I wish to… Be a very motivated storyteller who gives everything they have in order to further learn about the human heart (non-medical). I want to be able to have the skills and tools to convey stories that touch people or make them laugh.

I get streaks of inspiration from… My personal experiences, a picture that caught my attention, stories that I hear from other people, and a lot from my over imaginative personal “what ifs.”

Hands down, my favorite film of all time is… I would say Dogville because it is the one film I have seen that incorporated the theatrical idea of minimalism. It brought my theatrical experiences as an actor on stage closer to the world of films. But for my constant need to feel uplifted, I love romantic comedies like 50 First Dates. The power of laughter is sometimes underestimated. It could make the difference between life and death.

Previous works/work experience under my belt… Repertory Philippines’ Children’s Musical for Aladdin Jr. (professional), SPIT, other theatre performances (non-professional and professional)

Five years from now I’ll be… Hopefully, a good storyteller that helps touch people’s lives for the better.

Rodger Sargent

People call me… Rodger.

I chose IAFT because… I wanted to study abroad to leave behind the American point of view and idealisms to experience what other countries have to say. Another reason: the working studio, (and having the chance to meet) different talents from all over the world just stopping in your classroom to speak.

At IAFT, I wish to… Work on a film that makes a difference in (people’s) life. Something that makes people think and feel. Technically though I’d like to learn how to use a 35mm Camera.

I get streaks of inspiration from… Daily life, life itself.

My favorite movie is… Usual Suspects

Previous works/work experience under my belt… You can see it here: http://www.sargphoto.com

Five years from now I’ll be… Scuba diving the world while filming, I hope!

Yhab Joseph

People call me… Yhab or Yhabby

I chose IAFT because… I want to fulfill my dream as a filmmaker.

At IAFT, I wish to… Enhance my skills and gain more knowledge in the field of filmmaking.

I get streaks of inspiration from… My goal as an exceptional filmmaker as well as my family who really give their support to achieve my dreams, my friends and especially “IKWLNG.”

Hands down, my favorite film of all time is… Meet Joe Black, The Mask, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Blades of Glory.

Previous works/work experience under my belt… I worked as an Overseas Marketing Director.

Five years from now I’ll be… A great influential filmmaker.

Peter Ian Mancao

People call me… Peter, Ian or Mancao. Seriously, there’s much more but you can choose any of those given three for now…Haha

I chose IAFT because… It’s the school nearest to my home. I live in Cebu!

At IAFT, I wish to… Learn the processes in film production, hone my storytelling skills and be able to work with dynamic, creative individuals.

I get streaks of inspiration from… All sorts of people. I’m interested in getting to know their stories and their perspectives. I also get inspiration from film scores.

Hands down, my favorite film of all time is… Hmm…

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Students enjoyed their outing last week on the Learn Cebu trip. The class works in conjunction with photography mentor Ted Madamba. Students have brought their cameras and shot some great pictures of the places they visited. Here are a few snapshots and we encourage all of the STUDENTS to post their own photos here or in the FORUM section. We would love to see the photos the students shot and their own personal tales and testimonials of the trip!
Keep in mind that next trip will be next week!

HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS GENEROUSLY ADDED BY KRISTIN CO. enjoy!

Cebu, PHILIPPINES (Nov. 24, 2006) - The International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT) will set free its pioneering batch of students in IAFT’s first graduation on Dec. 7, 2006. The graduation rites will be at the state-of-the-art Dolby Mix Theatre of Bigfoot Entertainment (BFE), IAFT’s parent company.The seven that make up this group are Josemaria Basa, Publio Briones, Dwight Handro Buot, Rey Christopher Datu, Eric Florentino, Ian Allen Lim, and Renato Puangco, Jr. read more »

Cebu, PHILIPPINES (Dec. 08, 2006) - Following their graduation from the International Academy of Film and Television (IAFT), three IAFT students will get to work as crew for the international film Deep Gold.Along with four other students, Ian Allen Lim, Josemaria Basa and Dwight Handro Buot graduated IAFT’s One Year Immersion in Filmmaking on Dec. 7, 2006, making them proud holders of a Diploma that is recognized by employers for employment, and accepted by local and international universities for transfer credit. read more »