ODYSSEE 2026: Exploring Identity Through Stories in Manila

ODYSSEE (Overseas Documentaries You Should See) is an experiential learning module that challenges students to step beyond the classroom and into real-world environments to tell meaningful, human-centred stories through documentary filmmaking. 

Anchored on the theme “Heritage in the Age of Digital,” the module combines academic grounding with hands-on production experience. From developing story ideas and pitching concepts to navigating the realities of overseas filming, students are immersed in every stage of the documentary storytelling process. 

This year, 15 students, led by Dr Kym Campbell, travelled to Manila for an immersive field experience centred on a guiding question: What shapes Filipino identity? 

Working in diverse teams, students explored a wide spectrum of lived experiences across the city. Their stories examined social issues such as flooding and land reclamation, while also spotlighting culturally celebrated expressions of identity through pageantry, music, and dance. Through conversations with locals and firsthand observation, students documented how communities navigate change, preserve traditions, and express identity within a rapidly evolving urban landscape. 

Beyond the films themselves, the experience pushed students to adapt to real-world challenges, from logistical constraints and unpredictable filming conditions to working sensitively within unfamiliar cultural environments. More importantly, they built meaningful connections with the individuals they documented, gaining insights that extended far beyond technical or academic learning. 

These encounters deepened their understanding of storytelling as both a creative and deeply human process, one that requires empathy, curiosity, and responsibility. 

Following months of filming, editing, and post-production, the students premiered their completed documentaries at a special private screening held at Filmhouse. Friends, family members, faculty, and invited guests gathered to celebrate the students’ work and the culmination of their storytelling journey.