Sunshine (2024 film)
| Sunshine | |
|---|---|
Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Antoinette Jadaone |
| Written by | Antoinette Jadaone |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Pao Orendain |
| Edited by | Benjamin Tolentino |
| Music by | Rico Blanco |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 92 minutes[1] |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Sunshine is a 2024 sports drama film written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone. Starring Maris Racal, Elijah Canlas, Xyriel Manabat, Jennica Garcia, Annika Co, and Meryll Soriano, the film follows a young gymnast who finds out she is pregnant on the week of the national tryouts. It first premiered on September 13, 2024 at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival,[2][3] and had a European premiere at the 2025 Berlinale as part of the Generation 14plus section on 18 February 2025.[4] The film will release on July 23, 2025.
Premise
During the week of try-outs for the national team, a young gymnast named Sunshine discovers she is pregnant. On her way to meet a dealer in illegal abortion pills, she encounters a mysterious girl who questions her decision.[5][6]
Cast
- Maris Racal as Sunshine
- Annika Co
- Jennica Garcia
- Meryll Soriano
- Elijah Canlas
- Xyriel Manabat
Release
The film is selected at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival to be held from July 11 to July 27, 2025 for its New York Premiere.[7] The film will release in the Philippines on July 23, 2025.
Accolades
| Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | October 2024 | Best Youth Film | Sunshine | Nominated | [8] |
| Berlin International Film Festival | 21 February 2025 | Crystal Bear for the Best Film | Won | [9] | |
| Austin Asian American Film Festival | Austin Asian American Film Festival 2025 | Narrative Feature Jury Award | [10] | ||
| Narrative Feature Audience Award |
Adaptation
After winning the Crystal Bear award for best film in the Berlin International Film Festival, Indiecan Entertainment has acquired the rights to distribute the film in North America and will have an English adaptation of the movie which will be directed by Avi Federgreen and to be produced by Federgreen Entertainment and Siné Media Inc.[11]
References
- ^ "Sunshine". TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (March 11, 2024). "Filipino Studio ANIMA & Project 8 Projects Team On Antoinette Jadaone's 'Sunshine'". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ "Maris Racal's new film 'Sunshine' to tackle teen pregnancy". ABS-CBN News. April 4, 2024.
- ^ "Sunshine". Berlinale. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (August 30, 2024). "'Sunshine' Trailer Debuts Ahead of Toronto Premiere, Spotlights Teenage Pregnancy and Olympic Dreams in the Philippines (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "| Berlinale | Archive | Programme | Programme".
- ^ "NYAFF and FLC Announce First Highlights of the 2025 New York Asian Film Festival, July 11–27". Film at Lincoln Center. June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "17th ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED". Filmink.com. October 16, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Berlinale: Children's Jury Generation Kplus". Berlinale. February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (July 2, 2025). "Maris Racal's 'Sunshine' wins 2 major awards at Austin Asian American Film Fest". Inquirer.Net.
- ^ Hazelton, John. "Indiecan takes Berlin prize winner 'Sunshine' for North America". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 23, 2025.