A story of a family and their journey to regain sight.

The Film

A family faces the life-threatening consequences of blindness until a doctor–who can perform a common, but revolutionary, surgery–offers hope.

A co-production with Manifesto Films, WZRD Media, and SEE International, Second Sight was shot on location in Bacolod, Philippines over the course of one week–documenting Joanly Lahioan’s journey from her small farming village to the city and her life-changing surgery that restored her sight in only ten minutes.

Director Cole Sax walks us through the production of Second Sight—the steps behind the concept, pitching, funding, casting, and more–here.

PARTNERS

SEE International
Manifesto Films

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

Musicbed Film Initiative Winner
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020
Manchester Film Festival 2020
Austin Film Festival 2019
+8 more

Official Website

SEE International

Behind the Concept

of Second Sight

Utah Film Commission

Spotlight and Interview

The eyes are the windows to the soul.

Credits

Production Credits

Directed by: Cole Sax

Produced by: Phil Hessler & Cole Sax

Director of Photography: Jacob Callaghan

Editor: Cameron Boll

Assistant Director: Jack Hessler

Assistant Camera & Camera Operator: Aiden Ulrich

Production Sound: Ari Trofeo

BTS Photographer: Hannah Morales

Local Production Company: FIXER Ink

Production Coordinators: Girlie Linao, Inky Nakpil

Local Producer: Dhang De Castro

Office Manager: Taffy H. Santiago

Color House: Forager

Colorist: Carlos Flores

Color Producer: Ali Webb

Sound Design: Defacto Sound

Lead Sound Designer & Mixer: Jai Berger

Additional Sound Design: Cameron Boll

Audio Post Producer: Samantha Schneble

Festivals & Awards

Silver Telly Award - Branded Content: Directing

Silver Telly Award - Branded Content: Documentary

Mountainfilm Festival: Norman Vaughn Indomitable Spirit Award 2020

Musicbed Film Initiative: Winner

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Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020

Manchester Film Festival 2020

Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival 2019

Holly Shorts 2019

Austin Film Festival 2019

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2019

Hawaii International Film Festival 2019

DC International Film Festival 2019

Film Shortage Daily Pick Premiere 2019

Boooooom TV 2019

Short of the Year 2019