Ryner V.

Ryner Viray is a Filipino filmmaker, producer, editor, and production manager whose work spans narrative cinema, documentaries, advertising, and digital media. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, he is interested in stories that examine mental health, memory, identity, and the invisible systems that shape everyday life. His films draw from transcendental cinema and psychological realism to explore the emotional and social landscapes of contemporary Filipino experience. His thesis short film, Tears are Part of the Ocean (2025), examines psychosocial care, generational trauma, and mental illness through a restrained and contemplative cinematic language. The film has screened internationally and received multiple awards and selections, including Best Narrative Short Film at the Cannes World Film Festival 2025, the Award of Excellence (Special Jury Prize) and Best Drama Short at the IndieX Los Angeles International Short Film Festival 2025, Official Selection at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival and the 12th Bakunawa Fantastic Film Festival, a nomination for Best Student Film at the Toronto Art Film Spirit Awards, and Honorable Mention at the Hollywood Short Film Festival. It later became part of the IndieX Los Angeles International Short Film Annual Awards 2026, earning nominations for Best Drama Short, Best Student Male Director, and Best Actress for Madeleine Nicolas. The film was also featured in the Palm Springs ShortFest 2026 Film Market Video Library and FDCP's JuanFlix Academedia Online under the theme "Sana, Nais, Sana." Beyond narrative filmmaking, Ryner has produced and edited long- and short-form documentaries, commercial campaigns, and branded digital content. He produced UP Diliman's 100 Years of Broadcasting commemorative programs for DZUP and has collaborated with organizations and clients including Explore With Us (Sleepless Panda), AWED Corporation, Charlton Media Group, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Common Room PH, Wonder Magazine, the Design Center of the Philippines, and the School of Social Justice. Driven by an interest in healing, power, and identity within Filipino society, Ryner creates films that confront shame, longing, resilience, and survival with emotional precision and visual restraint. Whether working on independent cinema or commercial productions, he approaches each project with the same commitment to thoughtful storytelling, cinematic craft, and meaningful collaboration. He is currently developing his next narrative short film while continuing to work internationally as a filmmaker and editor.