A proud co-production between Australian and Filipino teams.
In a report by The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that movie entitled First Light has been picked by the Australian selection committee as the country’s entry to the Best International Feature Film category of the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.
The committee, as the publication reported, called the film a “meditative work about an aging woman who questions her faith as her world begins to crumble around her, leaving an indelible mark.”
Directed by James J Robinson, the movie is a proud co-production between Australians and Filipinos and is top-billed by Filipina actresses such as Ruby Ruiz, who plays the part of Sister Yolanda, Maricel Soriano as Linda Dela Cruz, and Kare Adea as Sister Arlene.
According to its website, the story is set in the mountains of the Philippines, where a young construction worker dies in unusual circumstances.
“An elderly nun, Sister Yolanda, is forced to reckon with his death and face the unavoidable questions it raises about the church and community she’s dedicated her life to serving,” the intriguing logline furthered.
Also part of this project are more actors such as Emmanuel Santos as Cesar, Soliman Cruz as Father Claridad, Rez Cortez as Edward Dela Cruz, Lui Manansala as Mother Angie, and BJ Fores as Angelo.
Renowned independent filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik also makes a special participation in First Light as Diwa.
Over the past year, the project had been screened in various festivals around the world such as the Melbourne Intsrnationak Film Festival, Marrakech Film Festival, Perth Festival, and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Currently, the Philippines has yet to name its official entry to the said category, although eight films have been previously disclosed as part of the shortlist.
As per the schedule provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the shortlist comprising 15 films in said category will be announced on Decemeber 15, followed by the five nominees on January 21, 2027.
The 99th Academy Awards ceremony, meanwhile, will take place on March 14, 2027 at Dolby Theater in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
