Contact Information

I'm currently available for freelance projects!Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

CONCEPT ART

PROJECTS

As the lead animator of the I WANT TO BE (2024), I created 2D animation tests as well as the different ways that the animated character moved around the screen based on the director's storyboards. The animation process involved mixing live-action footage and animation, which I had never done before. I animated all the animated shots of the film.

FILMS

I WANT TO BE (2024)

A graduating grade school student navigates the quirks and pressures of socializing with the help of his imaginary companion.Credited as lead animator.

SOLITARY (2021)

A young boy trapped in one of the hundreds of Domes in the middle of an empty landscape. Tim’s urge to escape grows more when he sees a helping hand.Credited as director, writer, animator, storyboard artist, character designer

ABOUT

David Joshua Bernardo is an award-winning 2D artist and filmmaker specializing in concept art and visual development. He graduated cum laude from Mapúa University with a BA in Multimedia Arts. Through 2D illustration and animation, he explores stories with elements of fantasy, the mind, and emotionally complex experiences.His first animated short film, Solitary, has been officially selected in both local and international festivals in Portugal, Latvia, Romania, and the United States, bagging the Special Jury Prize for Animation in the 6th CineAnimo Festival and a Best Online Film nomination in the 6th BANG Awards – International Animated Film Festival. He is also a two-time recipient of the Cardinal Excellence Award from Mapua University in recognition of his film’s achievements in film festivals.He is currently developing his animation pitch, Ang Pulang Mata ng Langit (The Red Eye of the Heaven), after being selected as a finalist to represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asia Annecy Partners Pitches Workshop 2025 in Thailand, where he was guided by three French mentors from the animation industry. The project was also one of the seven projects selected and developed in the six-month mentorship pitch development program, 3rd SIKAP Animation Pitch Lab.He also developing and writing a fantasy worldbuilding project called WANDERERS QUEST.Currently open for freelance projects!Email: [email protected]

AWARDS:

  • FINALIST - Southeast Asia Annecy Partners Pitches Workshop - 2025

  • FINALIST - 3rd SIKAP Animation PItch Lab - 2024

  • BEST FILM (Southern Tagalog Shorts) - Pelikultura: Calabarzon Film Festival - 2025

  • SPECIAL JURY PRIZE FOR ANIMATION - 6th CineAnimo Film Festival - 2022

  • BEST PICTURE NOMINEE (STUDENT CATEGORY) - 6th CineAnimo Film Festival - 2022

  • BEST ONLINE FILM NOMINEE - 6th BANG AWARDS International Animated Film Festival - 2022

  • HONORABLE MENTION - Student World Impact Film Festival - 2022

  • CARDINAL EXCELLENCE AWARD - Mapua University’s Cardinal Excellence Awards - 2023

  • CARDINAL EXCELLENCE AWARD - Mapua University’s Cardinal Excellence Awards - 2025

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:

SOLITARY (2021)

  • 6th BANG AWARDS International Animated Film Festival - 2022 (Portugal)

  • Student World Impact Film Festival - 2022 (United States)

  • T-Short Animated Film Online Festival - Bizarre Animation Panorama - 2022 (Latvia)

  • 10th International Student Animation Festival - Animafantasia - 2022 (Romania)

  • Oroquieta Film Festival - Amihanan Section - 2021 (Philippines)

  • 6th CineAnimo Film Festival - 2022 (Philippines)

I WANT TO BE (2024)

  • Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival - 2024 (Philippines)

CREDITS

  • SOLITARY (2021) - Director, storyboard artist, animator, writer, character designer, and editor

  • I WANT TO BE (2024) - Lead animator