Joshua de Vera Premieres 'Elephant Paths' at Sine Kabataan 2025, Highlighting Youth Resilience and Memory

Joshua de Vera, a 23-year-old filmmaker, is set to debut his latest work, "Elephant Paths," at the upcoming Sine Kabataan 2025. The film narrates the story of fourteen adolescent misfits who establish a refuge within a town slowly disappearing from memory. Drawing inspiration from his experiences growing up in Bulacan, de Vera delves into themes of memory, loss, and the resilience of youth.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the film, de Vera shared on BNC's "Beautiful Day," "Once I returned to my barangay, the town hall was simply gone. Sometimes when I go back, the places I remember have vanished, replaced by spaces that don't seem designed for people like me."

The film's title is derived from the phenomenon of a "desire path"—informal trails created by continuous foot traffic through untouched grasslands. In "Elephant Paths," the trail serves as both a metaphor and a sanctuary, representing an unstructured space where young people can exist freely.

De Vera elaborated, "In the wild, elephants select the safest, most straightforward routes, which others then follow. I built the story around this concept. The path isn't given; it's forged."

Having grown up in Malolos and currently residing independently in Manila, de Vera has been fascinated by what he terms "third spaces"—areas beyond home and school where personal identity is quietly nurtured. "These are places we intentionally choose," he noted. "They shape who we become, but unfortunately, they are becoming increasingly scarce."

"Elephant Paths" marks de Vera's third film and represents his most ambitious production to date. The entire project was filmed outdoors during the storm season, involving a full ensemble cast along with a production crew mainly composed of young, queer artists from Bulacan and Manila.

"We had to be on standby, waiting for the weather to calm before shooting," de Vera explained. "It was chaotic but also incredibly beautiful."

At the heart of the film lies the character Lance, a teenager who, much like de Vera once did, feels a sense of betrayal by the world. The director did not shy away from the autobiographical elements imbued in the character.

"There was a time I truly felt that way," he admitted. "The continuous rejection and obstacles weigh heavily. But I persisted because I believed in what I was creating."

The narrative was further enriched through shared memories among the creative team, which includes emerging Manila-based filmmakers. Notably, cinematographer Ren Strahano, also from Bulacan, played a significant role.

"We engaged in collective conversations, sharing our traumas related to our hometowns," de Vera said. "This became ingrained in the film's language."

De Vera completed "Elephant Paths" while still a student, viewing it as both a conclusion of his academic journey and the beginning of his professional path. "It's my final student film," he said, "but it feels like my true debut."

Above all, de Vera hopes the film conveys the message that young people deserve visibility—not as mere witnesses to change but as active participants in shaping the future. "I hope youth are no longer sidelined in development discussions," he expressed. "My goal is to bring them to the center."

"Elephant Paths" is set to premiere in September 2025 during the annual Sine Kabataan festival. Screenings will be accessible free of charge to the public. De Vera himself intends to view the film from his own "third space," a place that still feels like home to him.