Animated short on love and loss screens Aug. 3

“All The Time,” a short animated film which hopes to educate children on love that transcends seasons, spaces, and death, is set to be screened Aug. 3 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinemas.

The piece follows the heartfelt journey of an adopted kitten named Tohru, his adjustments to a daunting new environment, and finally finding comfort with his new family and home.

It was inspired by the personal encounters of Anya Zulueta, an alumna of the Digital Filmmaking (DFilm) Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, who started writing the piece after her cat Tohru crossed the rainbow bridge.

Presently an educator at her alma mater, Zulueta was still healing from the passing of a treasured companion when she was once again challenged by fate upon the sudden passing of her grandmother.

Motivated to utilize their craft to guide the youth to understanding and coping with personal losses, she, together with her brother Dominic, a Benilde Animation graduate, decided to transform their circumstances into healing experiences.

“All The Time” is a collaborative project created by a diverse group of young animators, graphic artists, filmmakers, and musicians. It was produced by filmmaker Sonny Calvento, together with DFilm grad Arianna Martinez. Yuuka Tanaka, also from DFilm, served as the line producer and assistant director.

Enterprising talents from the School of New Media Arts (SNMA), namely Rogela Mari Malaque, Martin Russel Ong, Shafeiya Wynx Saldaña, Marco “Irah” Comia Marte, Rory Esguerra, Aliah Pauline Abanto, Gian Carlo S.F. Maglines, Shelyka Donnalyn Diaz and Louis Tamayo, have likewise rendered their skills as production designers, background and layout artists, and key animators to breathe life into the tale of Tohru.

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Animation alum Tyron Gonzales served as animation supervisor, editor, and compositor. The original score was composed by Music Production alum Andrew Florentino, whereas John Daryl Libongco worked on the sound design. Theater actress Gab Pangilinan lent her voice.

It premiered at the 2023 SineKabataan Film Festival of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, under the mentorship of filmmaker Petersen Vargas. It bagged the Special Mention Award.

“All The Time is” one of the finalists of the ika-36 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video under the Animation Category.