JT Trinidad
Directing
Biography
JT Trinidad (b. 2001) is a filmmaker based in Cebu, Philippines. They graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian of the University of the Philippines Film Institute. They currently teach Photography at the University of the Philippines Cebu. JT’s works explore the intersection of queerness and geographical tensions, with a special interest in landscapes as transforming and transformative spaces. Their narrative short "the river that never ends," about a trans woman care worker, won Best Southeast Asian Short Film at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival and the Student Award at the 18th JOGJA-NETPAC Asian Film Festival. The film eventually had its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. It is currently streaming on The Criterion Collection. JT received the Ani ng Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2024. They are an alumnus of ASEAN-ROK FLY Film Leaders Incubator (South Korea), Objectifs Film Incubator (Singapore), and the US-based nomadic film school Film Futura. Their most recent work “Honey, My Love, So Sweet”, a coming-of-age story about a genderqueer child in a rundown cinema, will have its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival this August.
Known For
It’s the last day of high school. Three misfits: Mike, Jeremy, and Marie are tasked to edit the graduation video. As they review the footage, their batchmate’s video contains a confession that their principal harassed her. The group has to decide whether or not to expose the issue as each deals with their own secrets.
yesterday will always be yesterday
Along a river that undergoes a major change, Baby, a middle-aged transwoman, shuttles between her job as a companion-for-hire for strangers and her duty to her father. As the people around Baby start to disappear, she realizes that she has been left behind in a stagnating city.
The River That Never Ends
A silly bromance sparks out of the closeness of two laidback high school boys, Maki and Kaloy. When a night of reckless drinking with their friends leads them to share a bed together, they discover the true nature of their bromance and now must decide whether to embrace this or risk losing each other's friendship.
Ang Halikan Sa Water Fountain
Long removed from her music lessons when she was still young, Lisa Valenzuela, a single-minded pianist, grapples with a debt she knows she owes.
Refrain
In a decaying cinema in the heart of Manila, Life discovers first love through films and their new friend’s father.
Honey, My Love, So Sweet
RAMPAGE! (or the parade)
RAMPAGE! (or the parade)
40 years after having to marry a white man, Angie is deported and reunites with her ex, Badine. As they revisit the places buried by urbanization, they unearth the past and rekindle their love.
if tomorrow never comes
After an earthquake hits her province, a distressed young bride wanders around the city to find a new home, and possibly, a new existence.
The Rats of the City
Five years after their late brother's death, three siblings reunite in their hometown to celebrate her birthday with their 7-year-old niece who no longer remembers her existence.
Si Toto Mart
In late 2040s Manila, Wax and Phil’s dying relationship is shaken by a family member's transient arrival. As they accommodate this estrangement, they find a final push to retrace an old desire—to feel.
Tomorrow, To Feel
A 68-year-old matandang dalaga suddenly goes through pregnancy when her 19-year-old niece visits her home. As they spend time together, the two women are forced to deal with the cards life has handed them.
Ang Pagbubuntis Ni Ligaya
In a small town in Bohol where traditions are sacred, Maria grapples with the weight of an arranged union, culminating in a haunting act of rebellion that leaves her fate suspended between freedom and obligation.
The Red Banca
Two drunk friends decide to get high on a "spot" on top of the city. During their trip they will understand the noises of the city below, and what life means for each other
Dogs Don't Die, They Multiply
Speeding cars. Dancing lights. The Philippine capital and the night. Burnt and distorted pictures of an unknown young boy. An image of a naked body mapping it in the city. A visual mood piece of the Philippine capital and a study on rhythm, pace, and restlessness. A sensual aural arrangement gathered from recordings of intimate moments with the persona’s visitor—their lover. A nauseous experience in an alienating world, finding peace and home in one’s existence.
even if cities would vanish, we will remain
A journey to someone's personal gallery and an unsent letter.
As If Nothing Happened
Told through episodes, the filmmaker describes the places where they used to go with their late grandfather. As they revisit these places, they notice that the lands are no longer the same.
Like People, They Change Too
Two mothers strive to live a life of hope and strength while carrying the unbelievable pain of losing their husband and child to Rodrigo Duterte’s vicious war on drugs.
Mama
A thesis short film written and directed by MXRDD.
Pader
When his beloved daughter runs away with an engkanto, a lonely old man attempts to summon his daughter back home through her favorite dish.
In Case You Forgot to Return
A Black Beret entry by Joel Andrei Ramirez in partial fulfillment for their directing class under John Dalog Torres.