Filipinana: Kino Lorber Acquires Sundance Winner with Jia Zhangke as EP
- Manila, Philippines – North American distribution rights for the debut feature film “Filipiñana” by Rafael Manuel have been acquired by Kino Lorber, following its premiere at the 2026...
- The acquisition comes ahead of the film’s European premiere at the Berlinale on February 15.
- The narrative centers on Isabel (Jorrybell Agoto), a 17-year-old woman from the rural Ilokana region of the Philippines who takes a job at an exclusive country club outside...
Manila, Philippines – North American distribution rights for the debut feature film “Filipiñana” by Rafael Manuel have been acquired by Kino Lorber, following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. The film is slated for a theatrical release in North America later this year, with digital, educational, and home video releases to follow.
The acquisition comes ahead of the film’s European premiere at the Berlinale on . “Filipiñana” is a surreal drama executive produced by acclaimed Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke, adding further international prominence to the project.
The narrative centers on Isabel (Jorrybell Agoto), a -year-old woman from the rural Ilokana region of the Philippines who takes a job at an exclusive country club outside Manila. The film explores themes of class, labor, and historical memory against a backdrop of environmental hardship – specifically, oppressive heat and drought – impacting the archipelago nation.
Manuel, who also served as the film’s writer, director, producer, and editor, expanded the project from a award-winning short film of the same name. The cast also includes Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat, and Nour Hooshmand.
The story unfolds as Isabel navigates the meticulously maintained grounds of the country club, attending to the needs of its wealthy clientele – including an industrialist and his niece, the club’s president and his wife, and Chinese tourists. Her seemingly simple duties of arranging golf balls for members quickly lead her to uncover unsettling truths about the institution and the broader societal structures it represents. A pivotal moment occurs when Isabel attempts to return a misplaced golf club to Dr. Palanca (Guzman), the club’s director, leading her into restricted areas and a deeper exploration of the Philippines’ complex history.
The film’s acquisition by Kino Lorber signals a continued commitment by the distributor to showcasing international and art-house cinema. According to Manuel, “Kino Lorber brought Miguel Gomes’ ‘Tabu’ and Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Dogtooth’ to North American audiences. It’s an honor to collaborate with a distributor so deeply committed to bold, international cinema on Filipiñana.”
Richard Lorber, chair and CEO of Kino Lorber, described the film as “a cinematic miracle,” praising its “brilliant visual images, sound design, and choreography” and its “poignant and potent, yet subtle, political statement.” He added that the company is “thrilled to introduce this stunning film to North American audiences.”
“Filipiñana” is a production of Potocol, Ossian International, Epicmedia, Easy Riders Films, and Idle Eye. The film’s production involved a broad network of producers, including Jeremy Chua, Alex Polunin, Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, and Rafael Manuel himself. Co-producers include Sam Chua Weishi, Nadia Turincev, and Omar El Kadi. Executive producers include Farhana Bhula for Film4, alongside Jia Zhangke, Anthony C. Isais, Grace Mariel M. Isais, Maria Sophia Atayde-Marudo, Jossette C. Atayde, Sebastian Raeuber, and Francine Raeuber.
Rafael Manuel’s career has been marked by recognition at several prestigious film festivals. He won a Silver Bear at the Berlinale for his short film work, and his shorts have also screened at Locarno, IFFR (International Film Festival Rotterdam), and FIDMarseilles. His short films have been featured by ARTE and the Criterion Collection. He was also a final film protégé at the Rolex Arts Initiative, with Jia Zhangke serving as his mentor.
Manuel divides his time between Amsterdam, London, and Manila, reflecting a transnational artistic perspective that informs his work. The film’s exploration of Philippine society, coupled with its stylistic approach, positions it as a significant contribution to contemporary Asian cinema and a compelling commentary on global inequalities.
The acquisition by Kino Lorber is expected to bring “Filipiñana” to a wider audience, sparking discussion about the film’s themes and its artistic merit. The film’s journey from Sundance to Berlin and now to North American distribution underscores the growing demand for diverse and challenging cinematic voices on the international stage.