No budget? No problem. Epy Quizon saves indie short after walk out

Epy Quizon may be an acclaimed actor and filmmaker, but when it comes to passion projects with a purpose, he’s willing to put heart before profit.

In "As The Moth Flies," an official entry to the inaugural FAMAS Short Film Festival, Epy takes on a dual role as lead actor and co-producer in a compelling narrative that delves into mental health. The film, directed and written by Gayle Oblea, previously won Best Short Film at the 2024 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival.

Epy plays psychiatrist Dr. Oliver Sanchez, who attempts to assess his patient Jett (played by Boo Gabunada) through the lens of Jett’s longtime partner, Tonette (played by Mina Cruz). But behind the scenes, Epy’s commitment to the project extended far beyond acting.

At a press conference held over the weekend, Epy addressed speculation that he worked on the film for free following the last-minute withdrawal of the original lead actor.

“Hindi naman sa hindi ako tumanggap ng budget...” he clarified, explaining that he saw how difficult it was for the young production team to recover from such a major setback. Having experienced the same challenges himself as a director and producer, he chose not to add pressure to the project’s already tight budget.

("It's not that I didn't accept the budget...")

“Saka mo na ako intindihin. Shoot muna natin ito. Huwag niyo na muna ako intindihin,” Epy recounted telling the team. Though the producers still gave him something in appreciation, he insisted he never asked to be paid. “Alam kong masakit na sa bulsa niyo.”

(“Understand me later. Let’s shoot this first. Don’t worry about me for now.” “I know it’s already hurting your pockets.”)

He emphasized this wasn’t the norm for all his projects but a conscious decision rooted in support. “Hindi naman (ako) gumagawa ng libreng trabaho,” he said with a laugh. “But there are films you do out of love, out of belief in the art, and because you want to help aspiring filmmakers.”

("It's not like I do free work.")

Citing his past work with indie institutions like Cinemalaya, Epy recalled accepting as little as P1,000 per shooting day — even when filming as far as Tarlac. “Sa toll pa lang ubos na yun eh, di ba?” he noted.

("Just the toll alone already uses it up, right?")

Recognizing "As The Moth Flies" as an advocacy film for mental health, he added, “Mahirap maningil sa advocacy film. These are stories that aren’t always profitable, but they are powerful.”

("It's hard to ask for payment in an advocacy film.")

Produced by Happy Manila, Desi Matters, and Rav Singh, As The Moth Flies will have a one-time private screening on 3 May at the Victoria Sports Cinema in Quezon City.

As indie cinema continues to serve as a platform for social issues and emerging storytellers, Epy Quizon remains a strong advocate, proving that sometimes, the best performances come not from a paycheck, but from purpose.