Poster for the 2024 Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival with images of three people, a man holding a camera, a woman in a lace dress, and a man in vintage sunglasses, set against a cityscape with palm trees and tall buildings. There is also an award trophy on the bottom right.

1. Best Screenwriting-Mariposa/ Director Melanie Faye

2. Best Cinematography- No One Cries Forever/ Director Rogelio Postrado III

3. Best Editing -Time Crisis/ Director Brooke Palmieri

4. Best Musical Score - Kid, You're Just A Kid*/ Director Karl Cedrick Marquez

5. Best Micro Film -Threads of Tradition: The Yakan Weavers of Mindanao/ Istorya

6. Best Director- Last Light/Koa Bayani

7. Best Female Performer-Kid, You're Just A Kid*/ Zoey Madison Lim

8. Best Male Performer-Kid, You're Just A Kid*/ Alexander Lucas Martin

9. Audience Choice - Dear Watsonville/ Director Sandra Lucille

10. Best Short Film - Kid, You're Just A Kid*/ Director Karl Cedrick Marquez

*Original Title for Kid, You’re Just a Kid is “BATA, BATA KA LANG.”

Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival 2024

Bata Bata ka lang/ Just a Kid

"Bata, Bata Ka Lang" began with one question: how can a simple story spark big realizations? What started as a fun but challenging concept—a short musical film—blossomed into a powerful journey about friendship, hope, and finding your voice.

Created in collaboration with Francis Aben and Jeremi Quetua, this film explores the limitless imagination of children and the strength they find in standing up for what’s right. Told through song and stylized visuals, it reminds us that young people—though often underestimated—have the power to speak out, stand tall, and create real impact.

This is more than one child’s story; it’s a celebration of collective courage, a love letter to friendship, and proof that when kids recognize their rights and their voices, they can move mountains.

Winner of 4 awards in the 2024 Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival in the following categories:

•Best Musical Score - Kid, You're Just A Kid*/ Director Karl Cedrick Marquez

• Best Female Performer-Kid, You're Just A Kid/ Zoey Madison Lim

• Best Male Performer-Kid, You're Just A Kid/ Alexander Lucas Martin

• Best Short Film - Kid, You're Just A Kid

Director Karl Cedrick Marquez Best Short Film at the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival, "Bata Ka Lang" follows a tight-knit group of young students from Barangay Malabanan as they face the heartbreaking news of their beloved school's closure. At the heart of the story is Naya—a spirited, outspoken girl—and her best friend, a kind-hearted gay boy who finds joy in school and deep admiration for his teachers. Together, they rally their classmates to speak up and take action, proving that even the smallest voices can spark powerful change. With crisp storytelling and an upbeat, heartwarming musical score, "Bata Ka Lang" is a moving celebration of friendship,

Scenes from 2024 with Senator Mazie Hirono (D, Hawaii) as Guest of Honor.

Group of seven smiling people at a FilipinoTOWN Magazine event, standing in front of a black backdrop with the magazine's name. They are wearing Filipino traditional and modern clothing.
A man and woman dressed in formal attire seated at a small round table with a cake, in front of a mural with a portrait and window scenes.
Two individuals dressed in traditional Filipino attire pose in front of a backdrop with a portrait of a man wearing sunglasses with guns. The backdrop features open windows and a sunset scene. The person on the left is a man wearing a barong, and the person on the right is a woman wearing a purple gown, holding a decorative fan.
Group of seven people at an event, with a backdrop featuring a large framed portrait of a man wearing sunglasses, a sunset scene, and purple banners mentioning Las Vegas, Filipino film, and other words.
A woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a black dress and cream-colored shawl, stands beside a small table with a book and a decorative item, inside a decorative room with painted walls, window shutters, and a framed portrait of a man with sunglasses.
A woman and a man dressed in formal attire sitting in a room with framed pictures on the wall. The woman is wearing a gold dress with jewelry, and the man is in a black suit with glasses and a hat.
Two women seated at a table with a decorative backdrop. The woman on the left wears a floral-patterned cream-colored shawl, pearl necklace, and black dress. The woman on the right wears a red patterned jacket and matching jewelry. There is a large book with a white rose on top on a small round table between them.