‘Lip Sync Assassin’ Director Jon Galvez Reveals What Makes a Story Stick
Fresh from his win as Best Director at CinePride Film Festival for the short film “Lip Sync Assassin,” Jon Galvez has become one of the most exciting voices in contemporary independent cinema. And he’s just getting started.
Known for his vivid storytelling and ability to blend humor, drama, and unapologetic queer joy, Jon’s work captures both the spectacle and soul of self-expression. “Lip Sync Assassin,” a vibrant story of sacrifice, survival, and self-expression, captivated audiences with its bold visuals and emotional core, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to celebrate authenticity in all its glitter and grit.
The Beat Asia sat down with the director to reflect on his creative journey in bringing the short film to life, the stories that draw him in, and the emotional truths that make a film linger long after the credits roll. He also shared his thoughts on what makes a movie truly memorable and how he continues to push boundaries as a storyteller committed to representing voices that deserve the spotlight.
A Journey Shaped by People and Purpose
The title “Lip Sync Assassin” may sound familiar. It’s a term popularized by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to describe a queen who dominates every lip-sync battle. But in Jon Galvez’s film, the phrase takes on a darkly clever twist. “Lip Sync Assassin” reimagines the term literally, following a drag artist who leads a double life as a contract killer, taking lives offstage to support his family.
“‘Lip Sync Assassin’ was inspired by my own story as a breadwinner,” Jon shared with The Beat Asia. “Because I am our family's breadwinner, and I’m also an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) who worked in Singapore for 14 years, and also in Jakarta. So, I wanted to tell a story that is very relatable to my own experiences as a breadwinner.”
The film highlights Filipino drag culture, which Jon expressed was also an inspiration for him, as watching the show has become his source of comfort during the pandemic. Through the movie, he wanted to showcase Filipino drag excellence, which was already achieved just by casting Precious Paula Nicole as Sampaguita, who was the Philippines’ first Drag Superstar.
“I'm a big fan of drag artistry. During the pandemic, I was stuck in Jakarta, so I was away from my family. I was very isolated and a bit depressed. Watching ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ really helped me cope with the sadness, the loneliness, and the depression during that time. I was also inspired by the concept of entertainers and comedians who make us all happy for a living, but we don’t know the struggles in their lives.”
Additionally, the director also shared that the movie is a mirror to the systemic corruption in the country, which Sampaguita is a victim of, needing to work extra as a hired killer to support his sick mother and talented child.
When asked about the key collaborators who helped refine his vision, the director was quick to credit fellow Filipino filmmakers and producers he met during his producing class at the Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI). He cited his mentor, Omar Sartijas, a prolific and respected producer in the country; director Siege Ledesma, who won the Grand Prix at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in 2014 for her debut feature “Shift”; and director Adolf Alix Jr., who served as his creative consultant and helped him shape the film’s script alongside his producer Carlos Ortiz.
“I really believe in collaboration,” the director said when asked how he was able to showcase the vibrant drag scene amid an emotional and deeper narrative. “Because I'm not a drag artist, I collaborated with Precious Paula Nicole to make sure that we are portraying drag artistry in the Philippines very well.”
“I wanted there to be a balance through the writing. Yes, we’re doing all of the glitz and glamour of drag, but at the same time, telling the struggles of a drag artist who is also a father. I made sure that one thing is not overpowering the other. I was able to do this by consulting with my mentors, Precious, and combining my personal truths and experiences as a breadwinner and family man.”
This collaboration resulted in a moving and vibrant short film that captured audiences not only in the Philippines but also beyond borders. The film premiered at the 2025 CinePride Film Festival in Los Angeles and bagged two major awards, including Best Director.
When asked how he felt about this recognition, Jon replied, “I'm still processing it! I'm very grateful for the recognition. I’m a new filmmaker, and I wasn’t expecting any kind of awards or recognition at all. The fact that we were selected and allowed to showcase our film on a global stage alone is such a blessing already. I just really wanted to make films and start my filmmaking journey. It means a lot, because that means they truly appreciated the story of Sampaguita — a Filipino queer story about a breadwinner and a family man.”
The director also expressed that the recognition felt extra special considering Precious Paula Nicole also won Best Lead Performance, which highlighted their solid collaboration.
“We really didn’t expect it! In fact, we were ready to party and just have fun with everyone, and meet the other filmmakers during the closing award ceremony. But then they were very gracious to give us that recognition. I’m happy and grateful that we got to represent Filipino cinema on a global stage. Hopefully it continues, and more Filipino filmmakers get that kind of opportunity.”
Jon’s filmmaking journey didn’t take off right away, which makes this milestone even more meaningful. He shared that he waited 14 years for the right moment, having once put his dream of becoming a filmmaker on hold. In the meantime, he built a career in corporate and advertising before finally finding his way back to film. He mentioned looking up to director Peque Gallaga and his ability to make impactful films across different genres, as well as Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, whom he hopes to work with someday.
Looking back, it seems like fate knew exactly what it was doing, because that time away helped him stay grounded and clear about what he truly wanted as a storyteller.
“I try to clear my mind of those thoughts,” he said. “And there are ways, like, I always go back to my friends and say, 'Let's just make projects that are personal to us. Things that make us happy, without worrying about festivals or recognition.' It’s about creating something special for yourself, not for the awards, but because you’re doing it for the right reasons. As a new filmmaker, I see it as a reminder to continue to push through. It's just the beginning, and I should just continue to learn, to hone my craft, my voice as a storyteller, and to collaborate with the right people.”
As for what he believes his film’s biggest strength is, the director explained that it all comes down to the story.
“It’s always the story that will connect with audiences,” he emphasized. “That's why when people ask me what ‘Lip Sync Assassin’ is about, I simply tell them it's a story of a breadwinner. That would connect with everyone because everyone's a son or a daughter. It’s all about the story and the characters.”
As Philippine cinema continues to grow and evolve, welcoming fresh voices and stories that shine a light on underrepresented communities, Jon hopes to be the kind of storyteller who gives space to the queer community and to OFWs. Even when he isn’t the one directly telling these stories, he shared that he wants to champion and support the filmmakers who do, as a producer.
The director had produced “Agapito,” a film by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, which was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Jon shared what drew him to the project and how his involvement came about.
“It’s the story and the people. I've always met the director and writer, Arvin Bellarmino. We always bump into each other at film festivals. I’m very open to collaborating with different people, and Arvin is one of the people I always invite to collaborate. After a few meetings, the right timing came along, and he finally had a concept we could work on together.”
“Arvin and Kyla shared the story they had in mind, and everything fell into place. I connected to the story, which is very important whenever I look for projects that I'm going to work on or want to get involved in. Aside from being very amazing filmmakers and writers, the directors are also very good people that I trust and would love to continue to collaborate with,” he added.
After “Lip Sync Assassin,” Jon revealed that they plan to expand it into a full-length feature sometime next year. He’s also gearing up for the release of Kip Oebanda’s much-anticipated “Bar Boys” sequel, “Bar Boys: After School,” where he serves as a producer for 901 Studios PH. The film was recently revealed to be part of the official lineup of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, happening on Dec. 25, 2025.
“This is our first full-length as a producer at 901 studios, so I'm very excited! It’s something that I'm looking forward to because I was able to do it with my friends, who are dear to me. It's such a special film, and being part of it is already such a blessing. We put our whole hearts into it!”
Having been involved in both indie and mainstream features, we asked the director if he preferred working on one over the other, to which he replied that he enjoys both.
“Even if there are differences, we make sure to treat it as a special project. It's about giving our all, no matter if it's a small project or a big full-length film. Same effort, same passion, same respect towards the people that you work with,” he explained. “ How I connected with ‘Agapito’ is also the same way I connected with ‘Bar Boys’ when they were sharing the story. It’s the unexplainable connection to the story that you really want. When the intentions are pure, it will come out and translate to either awards or more accessible platforms, but the goal is always to connect with more people.”
As he continues to explain his horizons in the film industry, with a few movies already in production for next year, Jon Galvez is sure to be someone to look out for in the years to come. The director also shared his desire to produce student-led films, in the hopes of supporting youth voices and stories that represent Philippine cinema.
“The measure of success for me is if you’ve built a good relationship with everyone as you're doing a project. The fact that you're able to make a film is already a big blessing for me. The awards are just a bonus. Also, when people connect with the film, when they really appreciate it, it is already a big achievement.
To learn more about his films, stay tuned to 901 Studios PH on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
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