Kip Oebanda

Dakip "Kip" Oebanda (; ), is a Filipino film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for directing Bar Boys, Liway (2018), and Balota (2024). Oebanda is known for his films focusing on social realism and exploration of local social issues which became a trademark of his works in Philippine cinema.

Early life and education Dakip Oebanda was born in Iloilo City, Philippines, to Cecilia and Ricardo Flores-Oebanda. His spent his early childhood in prison, as both of his parents were political detainees during the martial law period in the Philippines. He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from San Beda College and later obtained a master's degree in Economics and Management from the Asian Institute of Management.

Oebanda's directorial debut came with the drama thriller film Tumbang Preso (2014), for which he also had writing credits. The film took place in a sardine factory and tackled the issue of human trafficking in the Philippines. It received critical acclaim from critics. He won the Best IFC Pitch at the Manila Film Financing Forum for the film. The same year, he was also the assistant director for Bukas na Lang, Sapagkat Gabi Na.

In 2017, Oebanda received increased attention for Bar Boys, a film he directed, co-produced, and wrote. The film earned three wins and seven nominations from various award-giving bodies. Oebanda received a Best Screenplay nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards and was also nominated for Indie Movie Director of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies. He also wrote and directed the horror film Nay, an entry for the Cinema One Originals Film Festival the same year. The horror film was an allegory to the controversial war on drugs in the Philippines during the Duterte regime.

In 2018, Oebanda would direct the semi-autobiographical film, Liway, which was well-received by critics. He received another PMPC Star Awards for Movies nomination for Indie Movie Director of the Year as well as a nomination for Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year, which he shared with Zig Dulay.

Oebanda garnered further critical acclaim for Balota (2024), a political thriller he wrote and directed, which premiered at the 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and starred Marian Rivera in the lead role.

Filmography Film Year Title Credited as Notes Director Screen writer Editor Producer 2013 Shift Production Designer Bukas na Lang, Sapagkat Gabi Na Assistant Director 2014 Tumbang Preso Directorial debut 2016 Patay na si Hesus Part of Editing Team 2017 Bar Boys Co-producer Nay 2018 Liway Co-writer 2019 Abandoned 2024 Balota 2025 Bar Boys: After School Director, co-writer

Acting roles Film Year Title Role Director Notes 2016 My Rebound Girl Coffee shop customer Emmanuel Dela Cruz Bit part 2019 LSS P2P Ticket Vendor Jade Castro Dead Kids Crowd Mikhail Red 2020 Block Z Zombie Guest Role 2022 Leonor Will Never Die Hospital Crowd Martika Ramirez Escobar Bit part

Accolades + Awards and Nominations Organization YearNominated Work Category ResultRef. Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2018 Liway Best Film Audience Award Special Jury Commendation 2024 Balota Best Film Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival 2013 Shift Best Production Design 2017 Nay Best Picture FAMAS Awards 2025 Balota Best Screenplay Gawad Urian Awards 2014 Shift Best Production Design Pinakapasadong Dulang Pampelikula (Best Screenplay) Pinakapasadong Istorya (Best Story) Luna Awards 2019 Liway Best Director Best Screenplay (with Zig Dulay) Manila Film Financing Forum 2013 Tumbang Preso Best IFC Pitch Best Screenplay Platinum Stallion National Media Awards 2026 Director of the Year PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2018 Bar Boys Indie Movie Director of the Year Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year VP Choice Awards 2025 Movie Director of the Year