SUNDANCE FILIPINO/X REPRESENTATION IS GROWING

TEXT BY CINEMA SALA

PHOTOS BY BIANCA CATBAGAN

And So It Begins director Ramona Diaz, Nobel Prize Laureate journalist Maria Ressa, former Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo with Sundance programmers, filmmakers and executives

In 2003, Ramona Diaz, a Filipino-American documentary filmmaker, made waves at Sundance with her film Imelda, standing as the sole representative of the Filipino community at the festival. In 2024, she returns to Park City with her newest documentary, And So It Begins, a film that looks into the grassroots movement during the 2022 Philippine presidential elections. This latest work features prominent figures such as former Vice President Leni Robredo and Nobel Prize Laureate journalist Maria Ressa, spotlighting their roles in this pivotal moment in Philippine history.

L-R: Former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, Director Ramona Diaz, Nobel prize Laureate Journalist Maria Ressa

This year's presence of Filipino talent at Sundance is undeniable. From short films like Thirstygirl by Alexandra Qin, Bold Eagle by Whammy Alcazaren, Dream Creep by Carlos A.F. Lopez, Alok edited by Achim Mendoza, to Grace lensed by Tehillah de Castro, and The Looming Cloud featuring actor Jason Amerling, the lineup is impressive.

L-R: Carlos A.F. Lopez (Dream Creep, director), Jason Amerling (The Looming Cloud, actor), MG Evangelista (writer & director), Tehillah De Castro (Grace, cinematographer), Alexandra Qin (thristygirl, director), Christian Almiron (And So It Begins, composer), Whammy Alcazaren (Bold Eagle, director), Alemberg Ang (Bold Eagle, producer), Jabari Jones (Ponyboi, actress)

Yet, stealing the spotlight is the much-talked-about Dìdi (弟弟), directed by Taiwanese-American Sean Wang, which is supported by Filipinx executive producer Chris Quintos Cathcart. Adding to the festival buzz is the presence of Golden Globe nominee Dolly De Leon, who made waves in the awards circuit last year with Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness. De Leon stars in two Sundance films, Between The Temples and Ghostlight, solidifying the Filipino presence at the festival.

A luncheon, spearheaded by Chris Quintos Cathcart of Unapologetic Projects, Sundance programmer Irene Soriano of I See You MC, and DGA director Marie Jamora of Cinema Sala, brought together key players in the Filipino filmmaking community. 

L-R: Chris Quintos Cathcart (Dìdi 弟弟, executive producer), Irene Soriano (Sundance programmer, I See You MC), Marie Jamora (Cinema Sala Founder, director), Cinema Sala team with And So It Begins team.

The gathering marked a milestone moment of the largest Filipino/x filmmakers in Park City.  It was also a celebration of their consecutive victories of the Short Film Grand Jury Prize. The streak began with Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan's The Headhunter’s Daughter, followed by Kayla Abuda Galang's triumph the following year with When You Left Me On The Boulevard.