BALISA: A Short Film

Hey Everyone!

My name is Gaby — I’m a professional dancer and choreographer based in Vancouver, BC. I’m beyond excited to share that I’ve been given the incredible opportunity to premiere my first-ever dance film, BALISA, at The Innovate Film Showcase this September!

Right now, I’m in the thick of directing and choreographing the film, pouring my heart into every part of the process. But like many independent artists, I’ve hit a financial wall. Creating a project at this scale takes a lot of resources — from equipment and location rentals to costumes and props — and I’m reaching out to ask for your support to help bring this vision to life.

BALISA is a deeply personal project. It explores the unspoken psychological effects of Filipino cultural expectations through the story of a high school senior navigating identity, family, and future. Dance serves as the main storytelling tool, giving physical form to the internal struggles many Filipino youth experience but rarely express.

Growing up in a Filipino household, I’ve come to understand how anxiety in our community is unique — and often invisible. While our culture is rich with joy, laughter, and resilience, it also carries silent pressures: around appearance, career, family duty, and emotional restraint. These expectations often go unspoken, but their impact is very real.

With this film, I want to show what anxiety looks and feels like for Filipino youth. I want to give shape to emotions we’re often told to hide — and create space for reflection, validation, and healing in a community where mental health is too often overlooked.

I’m also passionate about uplifting Filipino artists in Vancouver. We have incredible dancers, actors, and creatives whose voices and talents are rarely spotlighted. This film is just as much about sharing an important story as it is about giving space to the brilliance of our community.

By using dance as the language, my hope is to bridge worlds — telling a story that’s uniquely Filipino, but emotionally resonant for anyone watching. This is the film I wish I had seen growing up.

Your donation will go directly toward:

If there's anything left, I’d love to pay the cast and crew for their time and artistry.

Making this film means everything to me. Any amount you’re able to give — big or small — will help bring BALISA to life. And if you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading and for supporting independent Filipino stories.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. <3

– Gaby