Award winning short film Agapito by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero, is now streaming in CANAL+ in France and across Europe
Award winning short film Agapito by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero, is now streaming in CANAL+ in France and across Europe
SINEGANG.ph published this press release shared by 901 Studios. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
For many Filipino filmmakers, it is a landmark achievement to see their work flicker on screens at film festivals abroad. Securing a spot in the official selection of prestigious gatherings, such as the Cannes International Film Festival, is often viewed as a prestigious honor, bringing a much-coveted global spotlight and immense national pride. However, once the red carpet is rolled up and the applause fades, a difficult question remains: what happens next? But our new wave of creators is proving that there is a vibrant life after the final screening.
Agapito has bagged a significant win for local cinema as the Filipino short film was recently acquired by the French broadcast giant Canal Plus. It is now available on their streaming platform as a Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service across European territories. This acquisition is a massive milestone, as it allows Filipino content to continue its life into the living rooms of everyday viewers across Europe. It proves that homegrown narratives are not just artistic experiments but are commercially viable products that belong on the global stage.
This commercial success follows an incredible run on the international circuit. Agapito has been a constant presence at the world’s most elite gatherings, most notably as an Official Selection in the Short Film Main Competition at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival. Its excellence was further recognized at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it received an Honorable Mention for Best International Short Film. The film also secured Best Short Film titles at the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt and Bogoshorts in Colombia, alongside the International Short Film Award at the Landshut Short Film Festival in Germany.
Directed by the duo Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero, the film tells a compelling story featuring lead actors Andre Miguel and Nour Hooshmand. The production also honors the memory of cast member Joel Garcia, who passed away recently after contributing to the film's success. Agapito carries a powerful message about the necessity of showcasing authentic Filipino experiences to the world. It serves as a reminder that local stories, when told with a "beating heart," have the power to resonate across borders and cultures.
The force behind this global push is 901 Studios, a Manila-based production house founded by a trio of collaborators: Jon Galvez, Leo Liban, and Carlos Ortiz. Known for their unique background spanning advertising, business, and production, the studio has become a "Hub of Global Filipino Stories," producing other acclaimed works like Lip Sync Assassin and last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry Bar Boys: After School. Regarding the studio's mission to bridge the gap between festivals and distribution, founder Jon Galvez shares: "We founded 901 Studios to be a trusted space where filmmakers can take creative risks. Our goal isn't just to win awards; it’s to ensure that these sparks of Filipino talent grow into meaningful stories that can be seen and felt by audiences worldwide."
Agapito is currently continuing its festival rounds across Asia, Europe, and the United States, with plans for upcoming screenings in the Philippines. Its journey reminds us that while Cannes is a dream, the real victory for any film is finding a permanent home to have a wider reach across the world.
