Hito

Jani lives in a dystopian world of nuclear reactors and military curfews. After getting beaten up in a fight, she is telepathically contacted by a hovering lapdog whose people entrust her with a talking catfish rescued from a research laboratory. A turbulent fever dream of surreal phantasms which sees the 14-year-old getting ready to fight back and break free of her oppressively indifferent surroundings.
by Stephen Lopez
with Kyrie Allison Samodio, JunJun Quintana, Bor Ocampo, Edwin Barrios Serrano, Ina Azarcon-Bolivar, Ben Alias, Maricel Sombrio
Philippines 2023 Filipino, English, Cebuano, Kapampangan 22’ Colour World premiere recommendation: 14 years and up

With

  • Kyrie Allison Samodio (Jani)
  • JunJun Quintana (Direk)
  • Bor Ocampo (Boyet)
  • Edwin Barrios Serrano (Donato)
  • Ina Azarcon-Bolivar (Shania)
  • Ben Alias (Kiefer)
  • Maricel Sombrio (Kiefer, Voice)

Crew

Director Stephen Lopez
Screenplay Stephen Lopez
Cinematography Akie Yano
Editing Stephen Lopez
Music Myles Hilado
Sound Design John Daryl Libongco, John Michael Perez
Sound Santiago Miano Jr.
Production Design Iks Icay, Erwin Villareal
Costumes Iks Icay
Make-Up Daniel Palisa
Assistant Directors Issa Manalo Lopez, Claudia Fernando
Production Managers Patricia Pamintuan, Lyka Policarpio, Ryner Viray
Producer Sheka Ong
Co-Producer Jan Pineda

Produced by

Sound Goat Films

Stephen Lopez

Born in Quezon City, the Philippines in 1991, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 2012 with a BA in nursing before deciding to take up a career in filmmaking. Since then, he has lived and worked in Manila as a freelance production sound recordist, sound designer and screenwriter for films and commercials.

Filmography

2018 Gabi ng kababalaghan (Mysteries of the Night) 2023 Hito

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023