DAVAO CITY — The City Government of Davao has issued a call for submissions for a short film competition that challenges residents to capture the city’s core identity on video. The contest, themed “DESTINATION: DAVAO 2026 #KiniANGDABAW,” runs from May 29 to June 29, 2026, and offers cash prizes totaling over P100,000.
A Creative Platform for Davao’s Story
The competition invites video-savvy residents, with a special push for senior high school and college students, to produce clips between one and three minutes long. Each entry must reflect one or more of the city’s guiding principles, including “Asenso para sa tanan,” “Disiplinado ang Katawhan,” and “Wala’y diskriminasyon sa tinuohan.” The goal is to build a visual library that defines Davao for both locals and potential visitors.
Organizers envision the winning videos becoming unofficial tourism ambassadors for the city. By crowdsourcing authentic perspectives, the government taps into grassroots creativity rather than relying solely on traditional advertising agencies. The resulting content can be shared across social media platforms, showcasing the city’s character through the eyes of those who live it.
Strict Guidelines Ensure Quality and Authenticity
All footage must be shot exclusively within Davao City, with clips taken elsewhere leading to automatic disqualification. Participants must also provide proof of residence, reinforcing the competition’s focus on local storytellers. The technical specifications require a three-second black screen intro and a five-second title screen featuring the City Government logo.
Entries cannot contain copyrighted music or prolonged brand exposure, ensuring the spotlight remains on the city rather than commercial interests. Two versions of the video are required: the final edited piece and a raw file with only ambient sound. This dual submission allows judges to evaluate both the creative vision and the authenticity of the captured audio.
Deadline and Submission Process
Submissions must be emailed to [email protected] with a specific subject line format by June 29 at 5:00 PM. No extensions will be granted. Required attachments include a duly accomplished registration form, a scanned proof of Davao City residence, and both video versions.
The organizers have made downloadable logos and forms available through a dedicated Google Drive link, streamlining the application process. Participants bear all production costs but enjoy free registration. By keeping the barrier to entry low, the city hopes to attract a diverse range of submissions, from smartphone-shot narratives to professionally edited productions.
Prizes and Judging Criteria
A total of ten cash prizes await the winners, headlined by a P30,000 first prize and P20,000 for second place. A Special Distinction Award worth P10,000 and seven consolation prizes of P5,000 each ensure that multiple participants receive recognition. The judging panel will weigh composition and thematic relevance most heavily, each accounting for 30 percent of the score.
Creativity and originality each contribute 20 percent, encouraging fresh perspectives over formulaic productions. Finalists become candidates for the Special Distinction Award, adding another layer of prestige. The City Government reserves the right to use all submitted videos for promotional purposes with proper acknowledgment, turning every entry into a potential tourism asset.
Building Davao’s Destination Brand
The competition aligns with Davao’s broader tourism push in 2026, which has already seen a 19 percent surge in first-quarter arrivals. Video submissions that highlight the city’s safety, cultural vibrancy, and natural attractions can reinforce the positive image that draws both domestic and international travelers.
By empowering locals to tell their own stories, the City Government fosters a sense of ownership over Davao’s tourism narrative. The “Kini ang Dabaw” principles ensure that entries reflect genuine community values rather than polished marketing slogans. As the June 29 deadline approaches, the city eagerly awaits a wave of creative works that will help the world see Davao through Davaoeño eyes.
