First Light.

Bonsai Films has released the official trailer for First Light, the debut feature film from acclaimed Filipino-Australian filmmaker and photographer James J. Robinson. Written and directed by Robinson, who won the Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year, the film is the first official co-production between Australian and Filipino government funding bodies.

In the mountains of the Philippines, a young construction worker dies in unusual circumstances. An elderly nun, Sister Yolanda, is forced to reckon with his death and face the unavoidable questions it raises about the church and community she’s dedicated her life to serving.

Shot in the mountains of northern Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, First Light is a sharp, beautifully detailed interrogation of faith, corruption and colonialism. Starring multi-award-winning Filipina screen veteran Ruby Ruiz and the ‘Diamond Star’ of the Philippine screen industry Maricel Soriano, FIRST LIGHT will be in select Australian cinemas from July 9.

Produced by Gabrielle Pearson of Majella Productions and Jane Pe Aguirre, and co-produced by Christelle Lou Dychangco, FIRST LIGHT received principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund. Financed with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines and VicScreen. Local distribution by Bonsai Films. International sales by Independent Entertainment. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia.

First Light will be released in cinemas July 9

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