BFI Distribution acquires Filipiñana, directed by Rafael Manuel, for theatrical release in the UK and Ireland

BFI Distribution announces the acquisition from Magnify of Filipiñana, the debut feature from Filipino writer/director Rafael Manuel, for theatrical release in the UK and Ireland. The film premiered in competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival where it won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. Its European premiere was in the Perspectives section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. BFI Distribution will release Filipiñana in autumn 2026.

Isabel, a 17-year-old Ilokana from the rural north works at an elite country club outside Manila, lining up golf balls for powerful men. New to the job of tee-girl, she wanders the immaculate grounds sampling its luxuries as its members engage in a complex dance with the club’s doting and subservient staff. But something is rotting beneath the pristine fairways, as Isabel discovers when she tries to return a mislaid golf club to its patriarchal director, Dr. Palanca. The deeper she journeys into its most exclusive corners, the closer she gets to the violent truths of the club, her native Philippines, and her own past.

Rafael Manuel wrote the screenplay while at the London Film School, originally as a feature length film, but he decided to first make it as a short. It premiered at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, winning the Silver Bear for Best Short Film and was nominated for a BIFA. As he expanded it into a feature, Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke (Still Life, A Touch of Sin, Platform) who met Manuel on a mentorship programme, came on board as one of the executive producers.

Key cast members are Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat and Nour Houshmand.

The deal for Filipiñana was negotiated by Caitlin Smith of BFI Distribution and Austin Kennedy of Magnify.

Smith, BFI Acting Head of Acquisitions, said: “Filipiñana is a triumph of cinematic formalism and narrative tension. Harnessing a stunning visual language, evocative sound design and simmering performances, Rafael Manuel has announced himself as a masterful storyteller. We’re so proud to be bringing his dazzling debut to UK audiences.” 

“Having begun my filmmaking journey in film school in the UK, the BFI has been instrumental in my artistic formation through their various programs that support the development of emerging filmmakers, such as BFI NETWORK”, said filmmaker Rafael Manuel. “So, I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with them in bringing Filipiñana to a broader UK audience – it feels very much like an organic full circle moment to me. And if you’ve ever had moments like these, you’d know that these are the ones to savour.”

Developed and co-financed by Film4, Filipiñana is a Potocol, Ossian International, Epicmedia, Easy Riders Films and Idle Eye production, a co-production between the Philippines, Singapore, UK, France, and the Netherlands. The film is produced by Jeremy Chua, Alex Polunin, Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, and Rafael Manuel; co-produced by Sam Chua Weishi, Nadia Turincev, and Omar El Kadi; and executive produced by Farhana Bhula for Film4, Jia Zhangke, Anthony C. Isais, Grace Mariel M. Isais, Maria Sophia Atayde-Marudo, Jossette C. Atayde, Sebastian Raeuber, and Francine Raeuber. Film4 retains broadcast and associated catch-up rights in the UK.