About - A Thousand Forests

I.Syoot Multimedia Production
in partnership with the
University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Forestry and Natural Resources
Presents
A THOUSAND FORESTS

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

Five teenagers join the prestigious Philippine Forest Camp for a chance to travel the world in this coming-of-age musical film. As they navigate this journey, they unearth far more than exotic landscapes.

Set against the backdrops of breathtaking scenery, their individual stories unfold in harmonious melodies and moving lyrics. Amidst the lush greenery, they discover their inner strengths and passions while gaining insight into pressing environmental issues.

A Thousand Forests weaves a tale of self-discovery and environmental action through stirring musical sequences and poignant scenes. Together, they embrace the challenge of effecting change, harnessing the power of their youthful activism.

This film is Component 1 of the “A Thousand Forests” program, a multi-sectorial initiative for the environment.

STORYLINE

Skillfully narrated in captivating music and stunning cinematography, A Thousand Forests aims to shed light and inspire action on the urgent climate change issues. It unravels the journeys of five teens who meet at the prestigious Forest Camp Philippines.

A frustrated teen beauty queen named Skye joins the forest camp, wishing to redeem herself from a viral beauty pageant scandal. In the camp, she teams up with Rashid (a Muslim youth leader), Morena (an island lass who wants to be a marine scientist), Champ (an aspiring track-and-field athlete), and Sunshine (a smart but insecure vlogger).

Together, they face exciting challenges and a series of treasure hunts to be the official
Forest Ambassadors or ForAms who will travel worldwide to promote reforestation and forest conservation.

At the end of the story, they all realize how vital planting trees and protecting forests can help mitigate the effects of environmental degradation and solve their problems.

Through stirring musical sequences and poignant narratives, ‘A Thousand Forests’ weaves a tale of self-discovery and the profound impact of youth on the world stage.

Main Characters

Skye Jung (played by Dennah Bautista)
A confident and beautiful girl who loves joining beauty pageants for teens.
Her mother thinks Skye can increase her chances of winning beauty pageants if she positions herself as a young environmentalist.

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Rashid Ahmed (played by James Mavie Estrella)
Wise beyond his years, Rashid is a serious thirteen-year-old Muslim from Maguindanao.
His family experienced a tragedy that scarred his heart forever but also motivated him to become a young environmental crusader.

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Morena Rivera (played by Ramjean Entera)
The daughter of a fisherman, Morena dreams of becoming a marine scientist.
She has witnessed how illegal mining in the mountains carries harmful chemicals from the rivers to the sea. One unfortunate night, an accident happened at sea that changed her life and her father’s.

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Champ Villanueva (played by Santino Juan Santiago)
Coming from a family of accomplished athletes, Champ perseveres to become a track-and-field star. He pours all efforts to qualify for a national sports event, his first step to making his dream come true. But nature gave him an obstacle – will he concede to the defeat, or will he rise to the challenge?

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Sunshine Tolentino (played by Venice Bismonte)
– Together with her mother, Sunshine has a weekly vlog that promotes self-love, body positivity, as well as environmental awareness.
Deep inside, however, Sunshine still feels insecure about her appearance. As she discovers the perfection of nature, will she also uncover her true, beautiful self?

Supporting Characters

Bani Gualberto (played by Dominic Ochoa)
A forester named after the Philippine endemic tree ‘Bani’ and patron saint of foresters, Gualberto. The Philippine Youth Forest Camp is his brainchild, knowing in his heart that the youth need to get involved in environmental protection and in the campaign to combat the effects of climate change.

Crystal Flores (played by Chai Fonacier)
A bubbly, pleasant, and intelligent forest camp facilitator and former student of Sir Bani. She is assigned to assist “Team Narra” as they embark on the challenges in the forest camp.

Coleen Villena (played by Qhlouey Moreno)
A forest camp delegate who confronts Skye about the viral video from a previous beauty pageant scandal. She comes from a family of environmentalists.

Ali Ahmed (played by Prince España)
Rashid’s little brother. Smart, playful, and active, Ali brings fun, laughter, and surprising insights to the story.

Antonio Rivera (played by Butchoy Ubaldo)
Morena’s father who figures in an accident in the sea.

Ibrahim Ahmed (played by Rollie Inocencio)
The father of Rashid and Ali, and a village leader who initiates tree planting activities in their village.

Fatima Ahmed (played by Aileen Sahibod)
Rashid’s mother

Stella Catacutan-Jung (played by Cath Salazar)
Skye’s often hysterical but loving mother. She was the one who encouraged Skye to pretend to be a young environmentalist.

Diego Villanueva (played by Jeffrey Hidalgo)
An accomplished athlete and the father of Champ.

Laarni Villanueva (played by Leslie Lina)
An accomplished athlete and the mother of Champ.

Lovely Tolentino (played by Cai Cortez)
Sunshine’s mother who is a body positivity advocate.

Paz Lopez (played by Trina Tolentino)
One of the judges of Munting Lakambini ng Kalikasan

PRODUCTION AND PROMOTIONS

Director
Hanz Florentino

Story and Musical Compositions
Jenie Chan

Screenplay
Jeff Ocampo

Executive Producers
Marivic Trinidad
Jane Foronda

Digital Art Director
Laura Rivera-Aguila

Marketing and Promotions
Ema Trinidad

Director of Photography
Pantit Pablo

Editor
Hanz Florentino

Assistant Director
Neljan Angeles

Musical Arranger
Frenyx Tarongoy

Production Designer
Pauline Olarte

Visual Effects
Joeric Navalatan

Sound
Daven Montes

Costume Designers
Rosse Baybayon
Jeck Domilom

Running Time: 120 mins