Cebu is overflowing with creative talent—visionary storytellers constantly redefining what art can be. Here, unique ideas are transformed into something that enriches the island’s dynamic culture.
But let’s face it: breaking into the art scene and gaining recognition isn’t that easy, even in today’s social media-driven world. For women, the journey is often even tougher, filled with additional challenges and biases.
Yet, there are always those who refuse to be held back. Enter Eden Sabolboro, an Emmy® award-winning Filipino-American filmmaker whose work proves that passion and persistence can break any barrier.
Eden Sabolboro: From Cebu to Emmy Wins
Based in Detroit, Michigan, Eden Sabolboro is a force in the world of documentary filmmaking. Her work focuses on capturing authentic, immersive human stories, especially from underrepresented perspectives. Since immigrating from the Philippines in 2014, Eden has been on a mission to tell these powerful stories. Shortly after moving, she co-founded Reel Clever Films LLC, a production company dedicated to non-fiction storytelling and branded content.
Eden has produced a remarkable range of projects for nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, advocacy organizations, and more. As a director, she has created films for The Biden-Harris Inauguration Committee, Detroit Public Television, and numerous other platforms. Her work has appeared in Time Magazine, NPR, AJ+, and Huffington Post, showcasing her ability to create deeply impactful stories.
And her recent Emmy win for Senghor Reid: Make Way for Tomorrow is a testament to this talent. The documentary captures the story of Detroit-based artist Senghor Reid, who uses his multidisciplinary approach—painting, photography, and video—to explore the human condition and environment. With a style that blends striking visuals with compelling storytelling, Eden brings to life the connections between art, activism, and community.
Pushing Boundaries and Mentoring the Next Generation
Beyond her own projects, Eden is also committed to uplifting and amplifying the voices of others. She was selected for the New York Foundation for the Arts’ Immigrant Artist Program, Sundance Institute’s Creative Producing Lab, and Firelight Media’s Groundwork Lab in Detroit. She is an active member of several filmmaker communities, including Final Girls, a group of talented women filmmakers in Detroit, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, and the Asian-American Documentary Network.
She also believes in mentoring the next generation of diverse creators. As Supervising Producer for Shifting Urban Narratives, a multimedia fellowship for young Detroiters supported by Wayne State University and the Schultz Family Foundation, Eden has been guiding new voices to tell their stories of change, resilience, and community.
Eden’s path has been anything but straightforward. Drawn to Michigan by its thriving film scene in 2014, she and her husband arrived just as Detroit declared bankruptcy—the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. To say that it was challenging is an understatement. Pregnant with her first child and facing an uncertain future, she came to the point of considering returning to Cebu.
But a Cebuana will always be headstrong, wherever she’s placed around the world. Today, after more than a decade in the U.S. and multiple Emmy wins, Eden’s journey shows that while passion can drive you, it takes grit and heart to truly make an impact.
What about you? What are you passionate about? What would you sacrifice to achieve your dreams, or are you content staying in your comfort zone? Maybe it’s time to wake up and start making those dreams happen, just like Eden did.
