Travel and cinema are two passions that inspire exploration and storytelling. The merging of these worlds creates opportunities for filmmakers to connect with diverse audiences and showcase cultural narratives through the art of film. Festivals serve as platforms that celebrate creativity, talent, and international cultural exchange.
Recently, creative innovators Direk Nijel de Mesa and Arci Muñoz garnered enthusiastic responses during the debut of their latest films as they launched the pioneering “NOFF” or NDM Original Film Festival. The event aims to become a traveling film festival, showcasing their original productions worldwide, aligning perfectly with their “Fly-Film-Fun” business philosophy at NDMstudios—traveling to new countries to create films and enjoy the process. From August 14-17, 2025, Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, hosted the festival’s inaugural edition, featuring film screenings and an intensive acting workshop designed to elevate new talent.
Despite an initial slow start on opening day, with fewer viewers attending the first screening, excitement quickly built as the hall filled to capacity for subsequent showings. “We got nervous during the first screening on the first day when the turnout wasn’t as good,” shares Direk Nijel. “The event was free admission so we were hoping for a better turnout. But then suddenly, people piled up until the hall was full to the brim during the succeeding screenings for the other films,” he continued. The festival showcased several international premieres, including “True Or False Positive,” “Hongkong Kailangan Mo Ako,” and “Kunwari,” along with a special screening of the award-winning “Subtext.”
Attendees involved in the festival’s activities included industry leaders, family, and aspiring actors, all eager to participate in the two-day acting workshop and open forum led by Direk Nijel and Arci Muñoz. Participants of the workshop were treated to a 2-day intensive Acting Workshop and a Q&A open forum with “no less than the award-winning director, Nijel de Mesa and Arci Muñoz.” Under the visionary artistic direction of Direk Nijel, one of the core objectives of NOFF2025 organizers is to hone new talents as they travel the world in search of new audiences for their films. With their sights set on future locations like Singapore and Taiwan, the founders of NDMstudios remain dedicated to fostering global talent and sharing unique stories through their traveling film festival. For updates on upcoming events, visit www.facebook.com/NDMstudios.
