Kino Lorber Acquires Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana After Sundance Debut

Kino Lorber has picked up North American distribution rights to Rafael Manuel’s feature debut Filipiñana, following its acclaimed premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the festival, cementing Manuel’s reputation as a bold new voice in international cinema.

A Story Rooted in the Philippines

Based on Manuel’s 2020 short of the same name, Filipiñana follows a 17-year-old Ilokana girl from rural northern Philippines who works at a posh country club outside Manila. Her job is to line up golf balls for wealthy men, but beneath the pristine fairways lies a darker truth. As she ventures deeper into the exclusive corners of the club, she uncovers violent realities tied to the resort, her country, and her own past. Critics have praised the film for its striking visuals and layered storytelling. TheWrap’s Chase Hutchinson described it as “riveting” and “mesmerizing,” highlighting its blend of artistry and political commentary.

Kino Lorber’s Commitment to Bold Cinema

The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and Austin Kennedy of Magnify. Kino Lorber has a history of bringing daring international films to North American audiences, including Miguel Gomes’ Tabu and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Dogtooth. Director Rafael Manuel expressed his excitement about the partnership: “It’s an honor to collaborate with a distributor so deeply committed to bold, international cinema on Filipiñana.” Kino Lorber Chairman & CEO Richard Lorber praised the film as “a cinematic miracle,” calling it a fusion of brilliant imagery, sound design, and choreography with a subtle yet potent political statement.

Release Plans

The film will be released theatrically later this year, followed by digital, educational, and home video distribution. Developed and co-financed by Film4, Filipiñana is a collaboration between Potocol, Ossian International, Epicmedia, Easy Riders Films, and Idle Eye.

The production team includes Jeremy Chua, Alex Polunin, Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, and Rafael Manuel, with co-producers Sam Chua Weishi, Nadia Turincev, and Omar El Kadi. Executive producers include 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. With its Sundance success and Kino Lorber’s backing, Filipiñana is poised to make a significant impact on the art cinema landscape in 2026.