Top 10 ways Filipinos conquered the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
FILE PHOTO (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
NEW YORK — This year, the Cannes Film Festival witnessed an unprecedented gathering of Filipino filmmakers, artists and influencers from Manila, California, New York and Dubai – uniting in France to honor Filipino heritage and elevate Philippine pride on the world stage.
Here are the top 10 ways Filipinos conquered this year’s festival.
1. ‘Magellan’ premieres to wide acclaim. Lav Diaz’s nearly three-hour historical epic “Magellan” premiered in the Cannes Premiere section, earning a five-minute standing ovation. The film, starring Gael García Bernal, offers a bold, revisionist take on colonial history, cementing Diaz’s reputation as a master of slow cinema and critical storytelling.
‘Magellan’ poster courtesy of Festival de Cannes
2. ‘The Road to Sydney’ spotlights transgender resilience. Executive producer Sonia Delen’s documentary “The Road to Sydney” screened at the Marché du Film. It chronicles the journey of trans dance master Sydney Loyola, highlighting Filipino stories of empathy and perseverance on an international platform. Delen is based in San Francisco, California.
The Road to Sydney poster and Sonia Delen, executive producer. Photo from Sonia Delen/Facebook
3. Reina Bonta champions Filipino heritage. The former FIFA footballer, daughter of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and filmmaker brought her short film “Maybe It’s Just the Rain” to Cannes. The film explores cultural pride and generational connection through her relationship with her grandmother and the Philippine women’s national football team.
Reina Bonta and her lola, Cynthia Bonta. Photo from AG Rob Bonta/Facebook
4. Short films ‘Agapito,’ ‘Ali’ and ‘Magnetic Letters’ shine at the festival. Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero’s “Agapito” and Demie Dangla’s “Magnetic Letters” represented the Philippines in the Official Short Film Competition, showcasing the innovative spirit of Filipino short filmmakers on the global stage. “Agapito” emerged as one of the 11 finalists while “Ali” – with Belarmino and Romero as scriptwriters and Kristine De Leon as main producer – won the Special Mention Award. Meanwhile, Demie Dangla’s “Magnetic Letters” was part of the projects pitched under Spotlighted Projects 2025.
Short films ‘Agapito,’ ‘Ali’ and ‘Magnetic Letters’; producer Luis Pedron of International Film Festival Manhattan. CONTRIBUTED
5. Filipino producers expand global networks. Producers Christelle Lou Dychango, Geo Lumuntad, Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagnalan and Luis Pedron of the International Film Festival Manhattan participated in the Cannes Producers Network, building international collaborations for Philippine cinema.
6. Bianca Nepales advocates for diversity in film. The former vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Lionsgate is a leading voice at Cannes. The daughter of veteran journalists Ruben and Janet Nepales, Bianca spoke on panels about storytelling, equity and women’s leadership, and moderated discussions on narrative representation and industry inclusion.
Bianca Nepales (2nd from right) in her first speaking engagement at the Festival de Cannes. Photo from Ruben Nepales/Facebook
7. Michael Cinco’s couture dominates the red carpet. The world-renowned Filipino designer from Dubai returned to Cannes, dressing global celebrities and beauty queens such as Chelsea Manalo and Marina Summers, further elevating Filipino fashion on the international stage
Michael Cinco walks the red carpet at the 78th Festival de Cannes. Photo from Michael Cinco/Facebook
8. Ruben and Janet Nepales: chroniclers of Filipino cinema. Veteran journalists Ruben and Janet Nepales, who have attended and reported on Cannes for years, are the longest-serving Filipino press at the festival, tracing their coverage back to their years as board members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that formerly produced the Golden Globe Awards.
Magellan acclaimed director Lav Diaz with Ruben and Janet Nepales. Photo from Janet Nepales/Facebook
9. Abi Marquez wins at the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards. The Philippines’ “Lumpia Queen” and leading food content creator attended Cannes for the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards, where she won Best Food Blogger. Her recognition highlights Filipino creatives’ influence beyond film.
Abi Marquez holding her trophy after winning the world’s best food blogger on the eve of Festival de Cannes gala. Photo from Abi Marquez/Facebook
10. Beauty queens and icons shine internationally. Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo, Kylie Versoza and Marina Summers of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame graced the Cannes red carpet, representing Filipino beauty, talent and diversity at one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events.
From left: Marina Summers, Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo and Kylie Versoza on the Cannes red carpet. Photos from marinaxsummers, michaelcinco5, kylieversoza/Instagram
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has marked a turning point for the Philippines, with Filipino artists, storytellers and visionaries commanding global attention and redefining the country’s place in world cinema.
