Following each RecWeek, newly admitted members of the LFC Production Core are grouped into teams and set out to create their LFC debut films to be showcased during Fight Club. This year, the filmmakers were challenged to look into their deepest gut feelings–tapping into their Kutob to give each of their films its heart. 

Our LFC film-fighters produced a stunning seven films from the seven groups, exploring areas of Filipino intuition from haunted narratives and digital-age relationships to revenge plots and modern cynical dating culture. 

The Boxing Ring

Feeling Ko… delivered sharp, witty jabs at the “performative male” phenomenon, modern dating rituals, and the quirks of inner-consciousness, blending humor with surprising moments of self-reflection. (dir. Mary Bernardo, starring Zyrah Abejuela, Lorraine De La Cruz, & Martin Garcia, written by Zech Osorio & Audrey Yan, DP: Joshua Simbulan & Gabriel Villa, Production Design: Tatiana Leporogo, and Production Manager: Bienvenido Mauricio) 

Read It took audiences through the lively backdrop of Reddit forums and the spirit of freedom walls, weaving revenge plots in a digital-age setting, elevated by standout performances that made every confrontation feel personal and immediate. (dir. Tatiana Gotuaco, starring Jade Vidad, Althea Vasquez, & Nicole Jocson, written by Dorothy Doria & Lara Menciano, DP: Axle Magnait & Quade Roxas, PD: Angelica Sanchez, PM: Samantha Coronel, and produced by Louise Aguilar) 

Trusting your gut becomes especially relevant in The Perfect Date, serving a gut-punch into the perils of modern romance, exploring trust, miscommunication, and the eerie ways instincts can guide—or mislead—you in the dating scene. (dir. and edited by Niqo Esquibel, starring Kat Asuncion, Kai de Guzman, and River Ypon, written by Meadow Cuevas & Zacheri Villena, DP: Sean Cristobal & Maita Montaner, PD: Mati Lacay, PM: Jia Polancos, produced by Aadie Ragodon)

Ilalim transformed the already-eerie Old Communication Building into a chilling murder site, with standout layered editing, sound design, and coloring that intensified the story’s power-trip narrative, carrying tension straight through the end credits. (dir. Jedrik Bulfa, starring Naomi Palaganas, Claudette Galgana, & Maxene Tadeo, written by Chloe Ong & Marla Tee, DP: Isabel Go, PD: Jackie Cabatay, PM: Therese Velasco, produced by Nath Gumera) 

Taranta shook viewers with handheld camera chaos, a deceptively simple game of sungka, and gut-feelings gone wrong, delivering suspense in every frame. (dir. Hugh Perez, starring Keandra Basto, Nate Libao & Mischka Santillan, written by Abby Marcos & Joaquin Magno, DP: Victor Vinluan & Jericho Rodriguez, PD: Carmen Jocson, PM: Mikolette Wong, and produced by Aadie Ragodon) 

Crash plunged deep into psychological horror under the neon-lit bars of Katipunan, where inescapable guilt and lived trauma collided, evoking a disorienting, fractured reality, and took after the 2019 film by Brad Anderson. (dir. Raine Kyra Santos, starring Marian Sofia Joy Atacador, Zinda Vir & Marcus Tristan Bobier, written by John Julius Estacio, DP: Lorenzo Santiago Marcalain & Benedict Seruhere, PD: Zenaides Manolo Amaro, John Julius Estacio & Joanna Beatrice Gertes, PM: Joanna Beatrice Gertes, Score by Gabrielle Basallote, edited by Chathryn Shanelle Manalang, and produced by Geri Reyes) 

Finally, Wanna See Something Funny? turned a viral internet trend into a haunting, immersive experience, where online fears creep into the real world, proving that what follows you virtually can linger far too long. MVP has never looked this scary. (dir. Vic Vallente, starring Petes Castillo, Bri Espidillion, and Anne Beltran, written by Thandie Aliño, Sy Grimaldo, & Gabriela Mactal, DP: Zyle Cadiz & Lee Rumbaoa, PD: Airo Meily, PM: Arvinne Angus, and produced by Aadie Ragodon)

But most importantly, all film-fighters of the ring walked home winners, concluding their LFC debuts in a heartfelt talkback session. Our young filmmakers reflected on their creative journeys, sharing stories of inspiration, unexpected challenges, and the bonds they had forged.

Walking Home Winners

Many described the process as one of “growth,” realizing just how much there still is to learn. Others highlighted the importance of “collaboration” and the sense of “community” that came from working closely with a team — reminding everyone that filmmaking is not just about the final product, but about the people you create it with. For some, the experience marked a “full-circle” moment, as a deeply personal milestone marking the start of something new within the LFC family.

When offering advice to future admitted applicants, the film-fighters encouraged them to embrace the process fully and trust themselves and each other. One stressed, “Don’t let other people put your dreams down — put yourself out there,” urging newcomers to have confidence in their own vision. Others reminded them to take risks: “take the chance,” and once they’ve started, “once you have your foot in the door, keep walking.” They also emphasized the importance of making mistakes and learning from them as integral to the student-filmmaking process, as well as knowing when to let go. But above all, the film-fighters advised enjoying the journey: “Have fun with it—you’re (in LFC) for a reason.”

Fight Club 2025 proved that it takes guts—not just to step into the ring and make a film under pressure, but to trust your instincts, take risks, and put yourself out there. Beyond the lights, cameras, and storyboards, this year’s participants showed that courage in filmmaking is about growth, collaboration, and the willingness to face both challenges and your own gut feelings. In the end, every punch thrown, every story told, and every lesson learned reminded everyone that guts are not just for the ring, but also what makes a filmmaker, and a community truly strong.