Tahanan (2021)

Written, Directed, & Shot by Rialin José

"Tahanan" means "home" in Tagalog. This experimental short film is a personal exploration of the word "home" and what it means to the filmmaker. She then begins to wonder if she could ever create a home for herself, and what it could possibly look like.

MISS ASWANG (2020)

Written & Directed by Rialin José

CW: Mentions of death, depictions of blood, some flashing lights.

On her sixteenth birthday, DI VILLANUEVA is faced with an ASWANG—an evil mythical creature of Filipino folklore—which pushes her to confront the roots she has tried so hard to ignore.

Note: This film was shot in late 2019 and completed in 2020.

Teaser trailer can be found here.

OFFICIAL SELECTION of Diwa Filipino Film Showcase of Seattle 2021

OFFICIAL SELECTION of HOUSTON ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER FILM FESTIVAL 2021

ANAK NA AMERIKANA (American Daughter) (2018)

Written & Directed by Rialin José

CW: Verbal and emotional abuse

Lectured by her emotionally abusive father about her “American“ attitude, Malaya is accused of not having any “utang na loob.” Their powerful exchange explores the harsh realities of an immigrant parent and their relationship with their American-born child. (Based on a true story. 2 of 2 short films created for Scene Study class at Columbia College Chicago.)

Screened at SYNERGY: From Manila to Acapulco at Zhou B Art Center (2019).

SINANGAG (Fried Rice) (2018)

Written & Directed by Rialin José

CW: Grief

A daughter disagrees with how her mother has prepared her favorite dish because it does not follow her late lola’s (grandmother) recipe, resulting in an argument over who cared for the grandmother more. (Based on a true story. 1 of 2 short films created for Scene Study class at Columbia College Chicago.)

as in oriental (2018)

Written & Directed by Rialin José

CW: Racism, sexual imagery

Experimental film "as in oriental" captures and explores negative perceptions of Asians in America, and is an angry response from the perspective of an Asian-American female filmmaker. (Read more here.)

Screened at Columbia College Chicago's 2018 MANIFEST URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL as part of an art installation.

WHEN WE WERE TWENTY (2017)

Written, Directed, & Shot by Rialin José

A Philippine-born mother and her American-born daughter discuss what their lives were like at the age of twenty, and how they compare to each other. (Final project for Production: The Cinematic Essay class.)

SPECIAL MENTION in ASIA SOUTH-EAST SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2018

Kapangyarihan ni Nanay (A Mother's Power)(2017)

Written, Directed, & Shot by Rialin José

Within a family that often finds itself in a state of chaos, there is one person that is guaranteed to mediate any difficult situation, almost as though it is her superpower.

FINALIST for Emmy's 2017 JCS International Young Creatives Award

MY LOLA THE HEALER (2017)

Written, Directed, & Shot by Rialin José

This short film illustrates an actual conversation within a Filipino family, in which a mother reveals to her daughter that her lola (grandmother) was a “healer.” This piece highlights a belief in the supernatural that lingers in Filipino culture, particularly through a narrative of the "mangkukulam" (witches), magic, and religion.

Screened at HAUS at the Quincy Wong Center for Artistic Expression, as part of Stories of My Ancestors: A Storytelling Showcase, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2017.