We’re thrilled to present Chasing Dreams, a powerful short documentary brought to life through a unique collaboration between Voyage Studios in the Philippines, led by the incredible, award-winning Director Baby Ruth Villarama and film producer/editor Chuck Gutierrez, and Rise Research Ltd in the UK. This cross-cultural project was made possible thanks to the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant, which supports creative partnerships across the UK and Asia Pacific region.
The film grew out of a shared vision — to tell meaningful stories through creative expression and international teamwork. By blending diverse talents and perspectives, we set out to explore complex cultural themes and build bridges between people and communities.
Filmed during the height of the pandemic (2020-2021), this remote co-production faced its fair share of challenges. While the research and filming took place in the UK, the post-production magic — editing, sound, and finishing touches — happened in the Philippines.
At its heart, Chasing Dreams is a 20-minute documentary on migration and bi-racial marriage. But it’s much more than that. It’s a deeply human story of hope, courage, and transformation — especially through the lens of women’s experiences in our evolving world. Sharing these stories feels like a true triumph.
We are incredibly grateful to the British Council for their support and guidance, and to everyone who made this film possible — the creative team at Voyage Studios, our brilliant cinematographer Mark Adkins, and our inspiring participants: The Olejnik family — May, Lukas, Seb, and Chamb — and Ms. Celeste Garghan. Your openness and trust brought this film to life.
We hope Chasing Dreams resonates with you as much as it did with us. Watch the film here
We’re open to voluntary donations of any amount. Your support will help cover future screening costs and allow us to continue creating meaningful stories. Scan the QR code to donate to our partner, Voyage Studios. Payment Reference: Chasing Dreams
