Animated short ‘RUNO!’ makes its North American premiere at LAAPFF 2026

Student-led animated short about a post-apocalyptic rescue dog marks a milestone for iNDIEGENIUS and QCinema-backed creators.

The animated adventure short film “RUNO!” will have its North American premiere at the 2026 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) under the “Duty Free” program.

The festival runs from April 30 to May 3.

RUNO!” is written and directed by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Patena and was produced by QCinema Film Festival in 2025. 

The LA screening marks a milestone for the Vision Creative Unit mentees of Runo Studios, part of the growing iNDIEGENIUS film lab, according to festival director Keith Sicat in a recent post.

“The students behind it, Lysa and Jazmine, began as my mentees under iACADEMY’s Vision Creative Unit,” Sicat told radar Entertainment on Monday. “‘RUNO!’ may be the first fully animated film done by current students.”

Animation meets the apocalypse

Set a few days after the apocalypse begins in the Philippines, “RUNO!” follows a stray rescue dog on a determined journey to reunite with her student owner, Aimee (Nour Hooshmand), and defeat her greatest enemy: an empty food bowl.

“RUNO!” is produced by Direk Carl Papa and Geo Lomuntad.

Hooshmand, who also stars in “Cinemartyrs,” appears in two LAAPFF titles this year—“RUNO!” and “Agapito,” the latter co-directed by fellow iNDIEGENIUS member Kyla Romero.

Beyond the screening, LAAPFF serves as a key platform for emerging filmmakers, offering access to international audiences, industry decision-makers, and potential collaborators. Participation also strengthens a film’s position within the global festival circuit, helping open doors to distribution, funding, and future creative opportunities—especially for stories rooted in Asian and diaspora experiences.

For tickets and program details, visit festival.vcmedia.org.

 

 

‘RUNO!’ may be the first fully animated film done by current students

Keith Sicat

 

 

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