The studio behind the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture Film I’mPerfect is aiming for a bigger stage—the Sundance Film Festival.
Nathan Studios has collaborated with Rekata Studio for the Indonesian film Para Perasuk (Levitating), and Film4 for the Filipino film Filipiñana—both of which have been officially selected for a World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival under the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
Para Perasuk is a supernatural drama film directed by Wregas Bhanuteja. The story follows Bayu (Angga Yunanda), who lives in a town where pleasure is sought through being spiritually possessed, aspires to be the shaman of a trance party so he can fundraise enough money to prevent an impending eviction.
On the other hand, Filipiñana is a coming-of-age film directed by Rafael Manuel, following the story of Isabel (Jorrybell Agoto), a teenager who has grown fond of Dr. Palanca (Teroy Guzman), the president of a country club. Little does she know that this infatuation has something dark and sinister simmering behind a hidden shared history.
Both films offer a new look at culture and Southeast Asian storytelling by highlighting issues relevant to Indonesia and the Philippines. They will be competing against other nominated films under the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, including Paloma Schneideman’s Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Myrsini Aristidou’s Hold Onto Me.
The Sundance Film Festival 2026 is set to continue until February 1 at the Park City & Salt Lake City in Utah, USA. Visit festival.sundance.org for more updates about the event. Good luck, Nathan Studios!