Dave Ivo Brielle T. Oro, a University of the East Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Visual Communication student who is now a candidate for midyear commencement this February, has achieved a significant international milestone as his film ‘Kinulayang Ngiti’ was selected as a finalist at Germany’s prestigious 39th Stuttgarter Filmwinter: Festival for Expanded Media, held from January 13 to 21, 2026.
’Kinulayang Ngiti’ is Mr. Oro’s final experimental film project under the tutelage of filmmaker and Professor at the UE College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design (CFAD), director-curator Richard Soriano Legaspi. This marks the first film by a UE student to be selected as a finalist in this renowned international festival that is now nearing its fourth decade. This international screening also served as the world premiere of the film.
An experimental work, ‘Kinulayang Ngiti’ interrogates the spectacle of elections by questioning the sincerity behind smiling politicians and the visually striking campaign materials that dominate public spaces. Through its distinctive visual language, the film captures the collective fatigue of a people trapped in cycles of promises and disillusionment. As hope fades and trust erodes, the film poses a haunting question: Do those in power truly care, or are their smiles merely a mask for something darker? Ultimately, the film stands as a love letter to those who have lost faith in voting due to ineffective leadership and recurring calamities brought about by political incompetence.
The Stuttgarter Filmwinter: International Festival for Expanded Media is widely recognized for its focus on experimental, avant-garde, and boundary-pushing cinema. The festival brings together filmmakers and audiences who value innovative artistic expression, blending high art with accessibility. This approach strongly reflects the strengths of the UE Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Visual Communication program, which has been competing in the international film festival arena for the past ten years.
Mr. Oro continues to bring pride and honor not only to the University of the East but also to the Philippines. He also represented UE at CineMapúa 2025, the longest-running student film festival in the country, where his other experimental film ‘Yakap sa Yapak’ was a finalist. The film has likewise garnered international recognition, having competed at the 5th Footprints Film Festival in New Delhi and the AMI Arts Festival in India.
This Viscom Warrior’s strength in visual storytelling and his engagement with pressing socio-political issues distinguish him as a remarkable emerging art visionary. By seamlessly combining humanism with strong visual aesthetics, his works do more than captivate. They invite audiences to pause, reflect, and ultimately take action, creating ripples of change within society.
The images show filmmaker Dave Oro and stills from his ‘Kinulayang Ngiti’.
Kudos, Viscom Warrior and to your UE CFAD mentors!
(Images and report courtesy of UE CFAD)