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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/iACADEMY) |
iACADEMY is redefining industry-driven education through its Dual-Engine Mentorship Model, an approach that combines academic instruction with direct mentorship from active, award-winning industry practitioners to create a learning environment where students are guided not only by educators, but also by professionals shaping the future of their fields.
The model has become one of the institution’s defining strengths, allowing students to learn from mentors whose work has gained national and international recognition across the creative and technology industries. Among iACADEMY’s award-winning faculty members is acclaimed filmmaker Keith Sicat, President of Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) and Creative Director of iACADEMY’s Vision Creative Unit, who is known for acclaimed works such as Cinemartyrs and Rigodon. He also served as story consultant for the pioneering Filipino animated feature RPG: Metanoia and beyond cinema, his art installations and screenings have reached globally recognized institutions including the Smithsonian Institution and Museum of Modern Art, underscored the international caliber of mentors guiding iACADEMY students. Multi-awarded Filipino cinematographer, film director, and educator Rain Yamson II brings decades of industry experience into iACADEMY’s learning environment. A two-time FAMAS Awardee for Best Cinematography, Yamson has worked with leading networks and studios including ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Star Cinema, Regal Entertainment, and Viva Films, building a portfolio of over 90 film and television productions recognized locally and internationally. Beyond his extensive production work, he actively mentors aspiring creatives at iACADEMY. Award-winning filmmaker Tim Rone Villanueva continues to shape the future of Philippine cinema through bold storytelling and critically acclaimed productions. His works have garnered several awards at Cinemalaya 2025 including Best Screenplay, and now he mentors young creatives at iACADEMY on reflecting his growing impact in independent filmmaking and Filipino storytelling. Another faculty mentor, Kenneth Peterson Leviste, was honored as the National Outstanding Young Film Director of the Year at the Saludo Excellence Awards in April 2025, recognizing his creative achievements and contributions to the Philippine film industry.
“Our faculty members do not just teach from a curriculum, they actively shape the global cultural landscape. When our educators return from platforms like Cannes or receive national and international accolades, they bring that exact, high-stakes energy directly into our labs. The Dual-Engine Model is designed to close the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience,” said iACADEMY President and Chief Operating Officer Raquel Perez Wong. At iACADEMY, faculty success is not a separate achievement, it is the blueprint for student victory. In February 2026, two iACADEMY iNDIEGENIUS mentees were recognized among Asia’s Top 10 Best Films of 2025 by Asian Movie Pulse, marking a significant international breakthrough for emerging Filipino filmmakers nurtured under the institution’s mentorship-driven environment. The dual-engine effect extends beyond film into the realm of wearable technology and fashion. In October 2025, iACADEMY students Laurence Obona and Joan Mesia secured 3rd Place at the DOST–PTRI Stitch-Off: Filipiniana-Coded Design Competition for their innovative work merging technology with Filipino cultural design. The competition highlighted the growing intersection of creativity, heritage, and technological innovation, an area iACADEMY continues to actively cultivate among its learners. “True mentorship isn’t about teaching students how to pass an exam; it’s about building confidence and guiding students towards success. Seeing our iNDIEGENIUS mentees recognized among Asia’s best, alongside our design students winning national technological-fashion titles, is validation that our dual-engine ecosystem works. We are not just graduating students; we are preparing innovators and leaders who will make a real impact on the world,” said Wong.
