Filipino-Australian Co-Production “First Light” Makes World Premiere at Melbourne International Film Festival

From left to right: Consul Jan Sherwin Wenceslao, Producer Christelle Lou Dychangco, Mr. Renato Dychangco Jr., Consul General Jesus R.S. Domingo, Director James J. Robinson, Mr. Emmanuel Santos, Consul Ralph Vincent Abarquez, and Ms. Stacey Gabriel at the red carpet premiere. (Melbourne PCG photo)

MELBOURNE 13 August 2025 — “First Light” made its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival 09 August 2025. At the red carpet event, Director James J. Robinson welcomed cinephiles from all over Melbourne, including Consul General Jesus R.S. Domingo.

First Light is a landmark Philippines–Australia co-production—the first of its kind—developed with support from Screen Australia, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund, VicScreen (formerly Film Victoria), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and Clou Media Productions. Independent Entertainment (UK) is handling international sales, with Bonsai Films set to distribute theatrically in Australia and New Zealand. The film was shot on location in northern Luzon, in the Filipino language, and stars Filipino actors Ruby Ruiz, Maricel Soriano, Kare Adea, Kidlat Tahimik, Soliman Cruz, and Rez Cortez.

Director James J. Robinson, who is of Filipino and Australian heritage, shared that the project was also a personal journey for him—a way of reconnecting with his Filipino roots while telling a story grounded in the landscapes, communities, and traditions of the Philippines.

The film was very well received, and the audience was treated afterwards to a special Q&A with the director, producers, and members of the cast.

Prior to the premiere, on 08 August, the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne received a courtesy call from the team of First Light: Director James J. Robinson; Producers Gabrielle Pearson, Jane Pe Aguirre, and Christelle Lou Dychangco; and Actress Kare Adea. During the call, the team shared that the film’s story explores themes of faith, power, and accountability, and is intended for mainstream theatrical release with possible streaming thereafter. The film has been approved for inclusion in Victorian educational study guides, enabling it to be used as a resource in teaching English and EAL in schools. END

Left: The ceiling of the Capitol Theatre was illuminated in the colors of the Philippine Flag; Right: Director James J. Robinson and Producer Gabrielle Pearson introduce the film. (Melbourne PCG photo)

Director James J. Robinson (2nd from left) leads the first light team of Ruby Ruiz, Kare Adea, Emmanuel Santos, Gabrielle Pearson, Jane Pe Aguirre, and Christelle Lou Dychangco in a Q&A after the screening. (Melbourne PCG photo)

The First Light team’s call on the Philippine Consulate General on 08 August. (Melbourne PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph/.