By Ice Martinez

Filipino independent and short films were recognized in the recent Guam Film Festival 2022. The in-person event finally pushed through this year and once again featured works by Filipino artists.
 
The "Made in the Marianas" category recognized the movie "Steps on the Shore." This was created by a Filipino filmmaker, Elijah Joshua Pajarillaga, who hails from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
 
Filipino filmmaking has been popular since  has been spreading since its establishment in 2010.
 
At the previous festival, the Audience Choice Awards were given to the Filipino-made short film, "Beauty Queen." Director and screenwriter Myra Aquino said that this film aims to send a message to Filipino women. The main character represents a woman who is powerful and does not compromise her femininity with her disposition.
 
"Beauty Queen" was also recognized at the Cinemalaya Film Festival in the Philippines. The same movie bagged the First Place Gold Circle Winner at the prestigious Caucus Foundation in America.
 
The multi-awarded short film is about Remedios Gomez Paraiso. She is a beauty queen who became the commander of the Hukbalahap during World War II.