CinemaBravo

FEU Tech’s first-ever mainstream film, “Crushmate,” not only serves as a pivotal project for the university and its passionate young filmmakers but also sets its sights on global recognition. With fervent passion, the team aspires to share their compelling stories with a wider audience by targeting prestigious platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.

Recently, Arkos Digital, under the guidance of director Ken Leviste, who is also a faculty member of FEU Tech, organized an open house event to showcase the independently-produced student film, hosting a special screening and an intimate media conference. Among the select outlets covering the event, CinemaBravo had the privilege to witness the ambitious journey of “Crushmate” — a production that takes pride in achieving everything within a 5-figure budget.

This open house event not only celebrated the film’s success but also served as a platform for FEU Tech to introduce its programs, initiatives, and facilities to the Tamaraw community.

The journey from short film to full-length form

After securing multiple awards at esteemed festivals, the production team is determined to shoot for the moon, seeking acquisition by streaming giants to bring their beloved work to a global audience. The film, recently acclaimed at both the CINEGOMA Film Festival 2023 and Gawad Sining Film Festival 2023, prominently features the scenic campuses of FEU Tech and FEU Manila, with most scenes shot at the Innovation Center.

Director Ken Leviste shared the core history of the project, tracing its evolution from a short film project in September 2022 to its adaptation into a full-length feature by April 2023.

He narrated, “It started way back September 2022. Nagpa-finals po ako ng film project sa mga student ko. ‘Crushmate’ [is] was originally a short film na final [project] lang ng mga estudyante ko… sila-sila lang yon at sila din yung mga artista n’on… Second place po sila, but that short film captured our hearts and captured the audience’s hearts, kaya sobrang special sa akin ng short film na yon. And of course, first batch ko kasi sila ng mga estudyante.

(It all began in September 2022. I assigned a film project to my students for their finals. ‘Crushmate’ started as a short film, solely a final project of my students… they were the ones involved, both behind and in front of the camera. They secured second place, but that short film truly touched our hearts and resonated with the audience, making it incredibly special to me. And, of course, they were my first batch of students.)

“Fast forward to April 2023, one of their writers… suggested to me, ‘Sir, gawin kaya nating movie yung ‘Crushmate’?’ Then ako naman ‘tong ‘Oo nga, ‘no?’ Kasi, ano nga ba ang next chapter ng magandang story ni Chloe at ni Evan?

(Fast forward to April 2023, one of their writers… suggested to me, ‘Sir, what if we turn ‘Crushmate’ into a movie?’ I responded with ‘Yes, why not?’ Because, what is the next chapter in the beautiful story of Chloe and Evan?)

“I decided to produce it. Humingi po ako ng tulong sa university ko — sa Far Eastern University-Institute of Technology — to produce this film along with other executive producers. “Sumali po kami sa iba’t ibang film festivals and screenings. Luckily naman, yun ang naging simula ng ‘Crushmate.’ “

(I decided to produce it and sought assistance from my university — Far Eastern University-Institute of Technology — to bring this film to life, collaborating with other executive producers. We joined various film festivals and screenings. Luckily, that marked the beginning of ‘Crushmate.’)

Award-winning actors: from hesitation to accolades

Anton Arcilla and Jasmine Tan, despite their initial hesitancy due to their lack of acting experience, took on the lead roles in the film.

During the mediacon, they candidly shared that they had their respectively share of awkward moments but eventually developed a genuine connection with their characters and the project itself.

While embracing the notion of being “napipilitan lang” (forced into it), they deliberately directed their attention towards the positive aspects of this endeavor.

The film’s journey included participation in various film festivals and screenings, leading to its transformation from a short film into the celebrated “Crushmate: The Movie.”

The collaboration between FEU Tech and Arkos Digital, capturing the talents of the Multimedia Arts Department, received accolades at the CINEGOMA Film Festival 2023, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Trailer, and Best Story.

Notably, the film’s success extended to the Gawad Sining Film Festival 2023, where it secured a spot as a Top 10 Finalist and claimed the esteemed title of 2nd Best Film. The team excelled in individual categories, with Ken Leviste winning Best Director and Mary Bernadette Quiñones, Cyril Sucayan, and Ken Leviste earning recognition for Best Screenplay.

The achievements continued with Anton Arcilla’s outstanding performance earning him the Best Actor award, while Gerard Miguel Oliveros and Cyril Sucayan received accolades for the Best Film Poster. The film also garnered the People’s Choice Award, demonstrating its popularity among the audience.

With nominations for Jasmine Tan in the Best Actress category and Reigneth Serrano and John Joshua Sarmiento for Best Editing and Best Cinematography, “Crushmate: The Movie” showcased the dedication and talent of the entire team involved in bringing this cinematic masterpiece to life, all in pursuit of a global audience through premier streaming platforms.

The director’s glowing statement

Crushmate is a light-hearted romantic comedy that captures the essence of young love and the excitement of starting a new chapter in life.

As a director, I wanted to create a simple movie experience that is fun and relatable to the audience.

The story follows Evan Castro, a college freshman, as he navigates the challenges of expressing his feelings for his first college crush, Chloe Magnaye.

Inspired by my own, and the writers’ personal college love experiences, I wanted to tell a story that would resonate with viewers and bring back college nostalgia. The film explores universal themes of first love, self-discovery, and taking risks.

The cinematography is stunning, with every shot carefully crafted to resemble a beautiful picture. The music is heartwarming and playful, setting the tone for a feel-good film that will leave the audience feeling “kilig” and in good spirits.

Overall, the film is a celebration of youth and the endless possibilities that come with it. It’s a film that captures the excitement, fun, and challenges of the first days of college and the thrill of falling in love for the first time.

Watch the official trailer for ‘Crushmate’ here.