Filipino filmmaker Whammy Alcazaren continues to take his work beyond borders as his short film “Water Sports,” starring Elijah Canlas, heads to Canada for its next international screening.
Cornerstone Entertainment noted that after its run at Cinemalaya 2025, the project is now gearing up for its Canadian premiere at the Fairy Tales Queer Arts and Film Festival 2026, which celebrates bold and unapologetic queer storytelling on a global stage.
The short film, directed by Alcazaren, presents a narrative set in a dystopian future shaped by climate change. At its core are Jelson and Ipe, two students deeply in love, navigating both emotional and physical challenges as they prepare for survival in a collapsing world.
Guided by their teacher’s belief that inner strength can overcome even the harshest realities, the pair embark on a journey that tests not only their endurance but also their understanding of what it means to truly live.
According to the film festival’s official synopsis, “The Teacher believes that children are our future. He says to teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”
The film secured an official spot at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) last year, with screenings at Minikino Film Week in Bali, Kyiv International Short Film Festival in Ukraine, Drama International Short Film Festival in Greece, BUT Film Festival in the Netherland, Binisaya Film Festival in Cebu and Silhouette Festival in Paris.
The film is set to screen on May 14.
The post Elijah Canlas’ ‘Water Sports’ heads to Canada for Queer Fest debut appeared first on USNewsRank.
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