The Misfit

When a closeted all-boys highschool student grabs an opportunity to express his effeminate side, how do his friends react when they see him being this way for the first time?

  • Julian Maiz
    Director
  • Julian Maiz
    Writer
  • Paolo Soriano
    Writer
  • Vin Amodia
    Key Cast
    "Main Character"
  • Bo Oliva
    Key Cast
    "The Sacred Friend"
  • John Sainz
    Key Cast
    "The Swiss Army Friend"
  • Kyle Cabahug
    Key Cast
    "The Friend Mom Warned You About"
  • Alvin Tan
    Additional Cast
    "Date"
  • Alonzo Morales
    Additional Cast
    "Punching Bag"
  • Alonzo Morales
    Production Assistants
  • Joem Villarito
    Production Assistants
  • Rick Montayre
    Production Assistants
  • Julian Maiz
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    LGBT, Coming of Age, Friendship
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 9 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 17, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    Cebuano, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Ateneo de Manila University
  • Ateneo Video Open
    2022
    Finalist
  • Queer Stories International Film Festival
    2022
    Best Performance
  • Serbest International Film Festival
    2022
    Semi-Finalist
  • Student World Impact Film Festival
    2022
    Nominee
  • Binisaya Shorts
    2022
    Official Selection
  • All Asian Independent Film Festival
    2022
    Official Selection
  • Lift-Off Global Network First-Time Sessions Filmmaker
    2022
    Official Selection
  • Cebu International Film Festival
    2022
    Official Selection
  • Dona Paula International Film Festival
    2023
    Best LGBTQ Film
  • Festival de Indie
    2023
    Best Student Director, Best Student Film
Director Biography - Julian Maiz

Julian Maiz is an aspiring student filmmaker currently studying BS Communications Technology at Ateneo de Manila University. He loves working with video production and hopes to improve his skills overtime.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

While the original pitch for this short film was for a quick comedy sketch about a gay man and his friends, I personally thought that the concept had the potential for a wholesome story about someone finding acceptance from the people he cares about. We live in a strange moment in history where one group of straight, cis-males would love and welcome a queer gay boy with open arms and another identical group would go out of their way to belittle and bully that same boy. While this film was made to celebrate the progress society has made towards LGBTQIA+ acceptance, it also acknowledges that we still have a long way to go.