CinemaBravo

The artistry of Philippine fashion will once again take center stage on the global platform as a Filipino fashion film has been officially selected to be showcased at the World Fashion Shorts during the BRICS+ Fashion Summit x Moscow Fashion Week 2025.

This international gathering brings together the most innovative voices in fashion, cinema, and culture, providing a unique space where visual storytelling meets haute couture. The inclusion of a Filipino fashion film highlights the country’s growing presence in the global fashion film genre and reaffirms its creative influence beyond the runway.

Representing the Philippines, Bench Bello, founder of Manila International Fashion Week and creative visionary, will present his latest work, continuing his mission of merging fashion with cinematic artistry. Known for pushing the boundaries of how fashion narratives are told, Bello’s contribution marks another milestone for Filipino creativity in the international scene.

Among this year’s highlights is a fashion film produced by ESY Runway Fashion Productions headed by Emily Sy – an International Fashion Designer and Executive Producer, showcasing the elegance and creativity of Filipino fashion through the talents of Jhoiz Abierra, Sheralene Shirata, Rowena Gratela, Althea Conise, Thalya, Roselle Calalang, Lorelie Mandela, and Benj Arellano.

The BRICS+ Fashion Summit, in collaboration with Moscow Fashion Week, is one of the most prestigious fashion gatherings in the world, attracting designers, brands, filmmakers, and cultural leaders. The World Fashion Shorts program showcases the best fashion films from across the globe—capturing style, identity, and culture through a cinematic lens.

“This opportunity is not just about showcasing my work, but about elevating Filipino artistry on a world stage. It’s a chance to prove that fashion films from the Philippines can stand alongside the best in the world,” says Bello.

The participation of the Philippines in this year’s Summit reflects the growing recognition of fashion films as a powerful medium of cultural storytelling, inspiring a new generation of creatives to embrace innovation, artistry, and global collaboration.

As part of the official program of the BRICS+ Fashion Summit and Moscow Fashion Week, this year’s World Fashion Shorts will feature remarkable films from Asia and Latin America, including:

• “I AM ALEJO” (Peru) – A poignant tale of self-expression, gender freedom, and the emergence of Latin American fashion identity.
  
• “ECHOES OF ATHENA” (Philippines) – An epic visual drama inspired by Ancient Greece, with talents from Manila International Fashion Week.
  
• “THE FUTURE” – A philosophical meditation on fashion’s next frontier, set against breathtaking natural landscapes.
  
• “ALMAS PERDIDAS” (India) – A hauntingly beautiful story of lost souls, love, and style as a vehicle for liberation.
  
• Urban Fashion Film (Vietnam) – A kinetic exploration of streetwear, city life, and youth culture in motion.

The mission of World Fashion Shorts is to nurture the fashion film genre in Russia while fostering global opportunities for fashion filmmakers, designers, and brands. With a growing network of partner festivals, WFS continues to expand through international content exchanges, offering greater visibility for selected works across the global fashion film circuit.

Bench Bello extends heartfelt appreciation to the Moscow Fund Foundation for its steadfast support in promoting artistic innovation and cultural exchange. He also celebrates the ongoing partnership between Manila International Fashion Week (MIFW) and World Fashion Shorts, a collaboration launched in 2023 that continues to amplify the voices of Southeast Asian creatives on the world stage. [Press release]