02/01/2026
First Sem (1st Semester) is a coming-of-age comedy about a teenage boy who heads to Manila for college, accompanied by his entire clan from the province. But nerves kick in, separation anxiety hits hard and before the day even ends, he’s already on his way back home. His return brings huge disappointment to his single mother, who was hoping this would finally be the moment her son learns to stand on his own.
Touted as “a charmer with lots of heart and brains to spare!" (Moira Lang; Norte, End of History) and “a splendid cinema you shouldn’t miss" (Noy Lauzon; UP Film Institute), the film finds humor in family chaos and heart in life’s awkward transitions.
The film stars Lotlot de Leon, Alan Paule, Darwin Yu, Miguel Bagtas, Sebastian Vargas, Karen Romualdez, Teri Lacayanga, Maddie Martinez, Sachie Yu, Marc Paloma, Junayka Santarin, Trisha Oliva, Inna Tuazon, Reign Tolentino, and Mikko Baldoza, with the special participation of Simon Ibarra.
Written, directed, and produced by award-winning filmmakers Dexter Hemedez and Allan Ibanez (STAY, The Reliever), First Sem has screened at international film festivals around the world, winning awards in Korea, India, Canada, Spain, and Ukraine, and was showcased at the American Film Institute with back-to-back full-house screenings. An official CineFilipino Film Festival entry, 1st Sem is executive produced by Kayan Productions, Unitel, MediaQuest, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Dannon Clothing, and produced by Silang Productions (formerly Team Campy Entertainment).
Cinematographer: Neil Daza
Editor: Alec Figuracion
Production Designer: Hedji Calagui
Musical Director: Ernie Magtuto
Sound Designer: Jess Carlos & Danjo Galapon
International awards and accolades:
• Grand Jury Prize, Best Feature Film, San Diego International Kids Film Festival (San Diego, California)
• Special Jury Award, Best International Feature, Festival Angaelica (Big Bear Lake, California)
• Best Debut Feature, All Lights India International Film Festival (Hyderabad, India)
• Special Jury Award, Lotlot de Leon, All Lights India International Film Festival (Hyderabad, India)
• Overall Best Picture and Best Feature Film, Comedy World Network International Film Festival (Las Vegas, USA)
• Gold Remi Award, Worldfest Houston International Film Festival (Texas, USA)
• Best Supporting Actress, Lotlot de Leon, Worldfest Houston International Film Festival (Texas, USA)
• Best Feature Film, Honorable Mention, California International Film Festival (Davis, California)
• Best Indie Film, The Spotlight Awards (California, USA)
• Honorable Mention Best Feature Film, Buffalo Niagara International Film Festival (New York, USA)
• Audience Choice Award, Ellensburg Film Festival (Washington, USA)
• Award of Recognition in Cinematography, Neil Daza, Cinema Worldfest Awards (Ottawa, Canada)
• Culture Exchange Award, Seoul G**o Kids International Film Festival (Seoul, South Korea)
• 4 Nominations at Madrid International Film Festival (Madrid, Spain)- Best Lead Actor in a Foreign Language Film (Darwin Yu), Best Director of a Foreign Language Feature Film (Allan Michael Ibanez and Dexter Paglinawan Hemedez), Best Original Score (Ernie Magtuto) and Best Sound Design (Mark Laccay)
• Official Selection, Kiev International Film Festival (Kyiv, Ukraine)
• Official Selection, White Nights Film Festival (St. Petersburg, Russia)
• Ofiicial Selection, International Children’s Television Festival Dytiatko (Ruska Lozova, Ukraine)
• Official Selection, Sochi Film Festival (Sochi, Russia)
• Official Selection, Feodosiya International Film Festival (Feodosia, Russia)
• Official Selection, Zinetxiki Zinemaldia Children and Youth Film Festival (Bilbao, Spain)
“1ST SEM” (1st Semester) has also been recognized by various art, cultural and film institutions in the Philippines:
• Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (Manila, Philippines)
• Recipient of 2016 and 2017 Harvest of Honor by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Manila, Philippines)
• Recipient of 2016 and 2017 Indie Bravo Awards by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Manila, Philippines)
• Recipient of 2016 and 2017 Film Ambassador Awards by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (Manila)
• Recipient of Global Achievement of a Filipino Artist, Lotlot de Leon, 48th Box-Office Entertainment Awards
by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation
• 6 Nominations for 33RD PMPC Star Awards for Movies
- Indie Movie of the Year
- Indie Movie Director of the Year (Allan Ibanez and Dexter Hemedez)
- Movie Actress of the Year (Lotlot de Leon)
- Indie Movie Cinematographer of the Year (Neil Daza)
- New Movie Actor of the Year (Darwin Yu)
- Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year ((Allan Michael Ibanez and Dexter Hemedez)
First Sem (1st Semester) is a coming-of-age comedy about growing up and letting go.Brief synopsis: A teenage boy heads to Manila for college, escorted by his...
