Filipino film ‘Sunshine’ an official entry to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival
Filipino film ‘Sunshine’ an official entry to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as sponsored by Project 8 Projects. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Antoinette Jadaone’s Sunshine makes its way to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival under the Generation 14plus program.
Generation 14plus is one of two programs in Berlinale that features the stories of children and teenagers. Also known as “coming-of-age,” the stories feature perspectives from young protagonists from around the world, highlighting the equally complex worlds of the youth.
Sunshine tells the story of a young gymnast who finds out she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks like her. When her self-induced abortion fails, she comes face to face with the harsh reality of how pregnant women of all ages and backgrounds in the Philippines are violently robbed of the chance to choose for themselves and their bodies.
Abortion remains to be a taboo in the Philippines. Roughly 1,000 women die yearly because of lack of access to safe abortions, with others going to jail. And as cases of teenage pregnancy and unsafe self-induced abortions rise every year, it has become abundantly clear that abortion needs to be talked about.
Jadaone aims to bring to the forefront these not-often-talked-about issues affecting Filipina women daily. She says, “The Philippines is in dire political, economic, and social turmoil. This story goes beyond abortion. Behind every pregnant teenager, after all, is a society that let this happen to them.”
Jadaone, a Manila-based filmmaker known for That Thing Called Tadhana (2014), Never Not Love You (2018), and Alone/Together (2019), was last in the director’s chair for Fan Girl (2020), which had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, being the lone Filipino film in the Tokyo Premiere 2020 section. She continues to tell bold and untold stories about women in Sunshine - produced by Project 8 Projects, Anima Studios, Happy Infinite, and Cloudy Duck. The project was also supported by international and local film support programs organized by Busan Asian Film School, Full Circle Film Lab, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and CreatePH.
Jadaone is also one of the founders of Project 8 Projects, a young and rapidly rising Filipino production company that just recently produced The Missing – the Philippines’ Best International Feature entry to last year’s Academy Awards.
The film also aims to bring to light the daily struggles of athletes (especially those playing underfunded sports). The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) partnered with Jadaone and the production team to ensure that the depiction of the gymnasts and the sport is accurately and fairly represented in Sunshine. With the meteoric rise of Filipinos going for gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics, now more than ever is the time to tell stories about local athletes fighting every day for their dreams.
Knowing what’s at stake, Project 8 Projects Producer Geo Lomuntad shares why he still chose to invest and bet on Sunshine’s story: “Sunshine felt deeply personal to me. It mirrors the society I grew up in. Coming from Bulacan, I’ve seen young girls (some were even my classmates) with so much potential—the best in their class—suddenly forced to give up their dreams because of teenage pregnancy. It’s a story that needed to be told, and I knew I had to be part of it.”
Bianca Balbuena, Producer of Anima Studios and who has worked closely with Jadaone for many years, puts it simply: “Antoinette Jadaone. A brave material. Maris Racal. A sports drama. A social commentary. Women-centric issues. Women filmmaking. A film about dreams. Why would you say no?”
Balbuena is a Filipino producer and co-founder of Epicmedia, which has produced over 30 features, most notably Venice Film Festival Lion of the Future Engkwentro, Berlinale Winners A Lullaby To The Sorrowful Mystery and Cu Li Never Cries, Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard title Viet and Nam, Sundance Film Festival Midnight title In My Mother's Skin acquired by Amazon Studios, and Jadaone’s That Thing Called Tadhana, and Fan Girl.
Sunshine has made amazing strides in the past year, having had sold-out screenings at the Toronto International Film Fest and Palm Springs International Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Youth Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Entering Berlinale is nothing short of a feat for its makers.
Lomuntad shares his excitement about these achievements: “Screening Sunshine at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals is an incredible milestone. It’s more than just a moment for the film—it’s a statement for Filipino women and athletes whose stories often go unheard. This is a reminder of our power to tell stories that matter, stories that challenge.”
Balbuena also shares: “Having the opportunity to show the film in the biggest festivals is a big step for us in making the film’s goal come true–to reach as many people and to be heard in different parts of the world. Our invitation to Berlinale was a wonderful surprise. I can’t wait for what the European audience says about the film. I hope it will be received well.”
For Jadaone, Berlinale is a life-long dream realized. She shares her journey in the festival throughout the years: “Berlinale is a dream come true! I was there first for Berlinale Talent Campus in 2014, where I met who would be my future editor and constant collaborator, Ben Tolentino. Then in 2019, I came back to Berlinale for the Berlinale Co-Production Market for my film-in-development, Boldstar. And now in 2025, I will be in Berlin again for Sunshine, as an official selection of the Festival. What a journey! Sobrang saya ko. (I’m so happy!)”
On reaching wider audiences, Lomuntad shares: “It’s incredibly rewarding. This is precisely what we envisioned — not to boast about its festival journey, but to amplify its message. The fact that it’s being embraced internationally shows that people are ready to listen, and it gives us the responsibility to make the most of this platform.”
Maris Racal, who stars as the titular Sunshine, also expresses how she feels: “It’s incredibly fulfilling. Sunshine’s journey is both a personal and universal story. It resonates with women everywhere who experience the guilt and shame of choosing themselves and their dreams. Seeing it embraced by audiences across the world is so inspiring. I am truly grateful that Sunshine’s light is shining so far and wide.”
Elijah Canlas, playing Miggy, Sunshine’s secret boyfriend in the movie, adds: “It’s inspiring. Stories like Sunshine’s are very much taboo in the Philippines. To gain an audience and response like this is an achievement already.”
“Berlinale is our European premiere,” Jadaone adds. “In every festival we show Sunshine, there is always growing interest and realization by the audience about our situation in the Philippines. Gulat sila na ganun sa Pilipinas.”
When asked what are her hopes for Sunshine, Jadaone states: “Definitely, a local release.”
Similar sentiments were shared by the movie’s cast and screw. However, there is still a long way to go before Sunshine’s story can reach Philippine cinemas. Canlas notes, “Censorship is still a big hurdle for artists in the Philippines. I hope Sunshine gets the opportunity to inspire other filmmakers to tell their stories freely without any fear. Everyone needs to know that stories like Sunshine’s are real.”
Balbuena adds: “Sunshine deals with a taboo that women in the Philippines refuse to talk about because it might cause ostracization and harsh judgment as we live in a very Catholic country.”
Racal remains hopeful that Sunshine’s story can still make a difference in our country despite these challenges. “I hope for it to be one of the keys that contribute to progress and shed light on the importance of a woman’s right to choose her path. I believe stories like this can inspire change and create a more understanding and supportive society.”
Lomuntad adds: “My greatest hope is for Filipinos to embrace Sunshine like how the world is now. This is a Filipino film after all. I hope the film’s essence remains intact, despite potential censorship, because its message is what makes it impactful. It’s a film meant to spark dialogue, and I hope it finds its way to those who need to see it the most.”
Balbuena also shares her future hopes for Sunshine: “We’re still planning where and when our Asian and Australian premieres are. We hope to get distribution in different parts of the world, and of course to get a theatrical release in the Philippines for our fellow Filipinos to be able to watch the film.”
Sunshine continues to bring the reality of thousands of young women in the Philippines to the international stage – sending a sharp message about the state of body autonomy in a conservative and repressive culture that so often forgets about women.
The 75th Berlin International Film Festival, also known as Berlinale, is among what is considered the big three international film festivals alongside the Venice Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. The festival runs from Feb 13 - 23, 2025.
