iNDIEGENIUS Mentee Rodiel Veloso’s ‘My Missing Half’ Selected for the DGPI PITCH: X·PAND

Filmmaker and iACADEMY’s iNDIEGENIUS mentee Rodiel Veloso continues to take his creative work to bigger stages as his film project, “My Missing Half”, has been selected among the Top 10 Filipino projects for the 10th Anniversary Edition of the DGPI PITCH: X·PAND.

Veloso, an INDIEGENIUS Batch 2 mentee and recipient of the Jury Award, is among the 10 Filipino filmmakers selected for this year’s edition of the pitching program. His selection marks another significant milestone in his journey as an emerging filmmaker, bringing his work before industry professionals and an expanded international audience.

iNDIEGENIUS, iACADEMY’s film development and mentorship program in partnership with Netflix, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines (DGPI), reinforces the institution’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Filipino filmmakers by providing a platform for emerging creatives to develop and produce original films. Through industry mentorship, workshops, pitching opportunities, and production grants, the program bridges creative talent with professional opportunities while championing authentic Filipino narratives and diverse cultural perspectives.

DGPI PITCH: X·PAND is the 10th-anniversary edition of the annual pitching platform organized by the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines. For the first time in the event’s history, the program is opening its platform to foreign producers and Southeast Asian filmmakers, creating opportunities for Filipino projects to engage with a broader regional, international film community and partners, and funders.

At the center of Veloso’s participation is “My Missing Half”, a project that represents his continued development as a filmmaker and storyteller. Being selected among the country’s Top 10 Filipino projects gives the film an opportunity to be introduced to industry professionals who can help bring promising stories closer to production.

For Veloso, the recognition also builds on the opportunities he gained through iNDIEGENIUS, a mentorship program that supports emerging Filipino filmmakers by providing creative guidance, industry exposure, and opportunities to develop their projects.

His journey reflects how mentorship and industry experience can help emerging creatives move from developing ideas to presenting their work on professional platforms. From being recognized as an iNDIEGENIUS mentee and Jury Award recipient to having “My Missing Half” selected for one of the Philippines’ notable film pitching platforms, Veloso continues to build momentum in his filmmaking career.

His latest achievement is also a point of pride for iACADEMY, where creative education is anchored on helping students develop the skills, portfolios, and industry connections needed to pursue careers beyond the classroom.

With “My Missing Half” now part of the Top 10 Filipino projects selected for DGPI PITCH: X·PAND, Veloso takes another step toward bringing his story to a wider audience, proving that with the right mentorship, creative vision, and opportunities, emerging Filipino filmmakers can make their stories part of a much bigger conversation.