Philippine cinema takes another step onto the international stage as Ria, the debut feature film of director and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde film faculty member Arvin Belarmino, earns a world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea, happening from October 6 to 15, 2026. The film will compete in the festival’s Vision-Asia section, which highlights innovative independent films from emerging Asian filmmakers.
The selection is also a significant milestone for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, with Belarmino and producer Alemberg Ang both serving as active faculty members in the school’s film program. Their involvement in Ria highlights Benilde’s contribution to Philippine filmmaking and its continuing efforts to connect film education with professional and international cinema.
Ria is a gritty punk drama starring Nour Hooshmand as the titular character, an orphaned folk-punk musician living in Tarima, a close-knit Manila punk community threatened by demolition and corruption. To help pay for the medical treatment of the community’s diabetic matriarch Olga, portrayed by veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, Ria works as a hotel housekeeper while pursuing her passion for music.
Blending social realism, punk culture, community life, and political commentary, Ria explores themes of resistance, loss, inequality, and solidarity. Director Arvin Belarmino describes the film as a story for people who have experienced the consequences of a broken system, those who refuse to remain silent, and those who continue to believe in the power of resistance.
Belarmino brings significant international filmmaking experience to his feature debut. As a directing mentor at Benilde’s film program, he has participated in respected international film development programs, including Festival de Cannes Cinéfondation La Résidence, Talents Tokyo, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, and the Quinzaine des cinéastes Fortnight Factory. His previous short films, including Hinakdal and Cannes-selected Agapito, have also received international recognition.
The screenplay for Ria was co-written by Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, who previously collaborated on Radikals, which was presented at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2024, and Agapito. Belarmino also reunites with producer Kristine De Leon, who previously worked with him on his Cannes short films.
Producer Alemberg Ang brings extensive international production experience to Ria, having worked on films presented at major festivals in Busan, Berlin, Rotterdam, Warsaw, and Cannes. The film is an international co-production involving partners from the Philippines, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, with support from Purin Pictures, Sørfond, and the FDCP International Co-production Fund.
Joining Nour Hooshmand and Sylvia Sanchez in the cast are Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor winner Cedrick Juan, Iana Bernardez, Soliman Cruz, Andre Miguel, Veronica Reyes, Kevin Regalado, Anastasia Bartolome, RS Magtaan, Paolo O’Hara, Jing Diaz, Rico Torrente, Mark Anthony Estabillo, Lei Tigcal, and Anthonio Mendiola Lana Jr.
With its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2026, Ria puts Philippine independent cinema, Filipino filmmakers, and Benilde’s film community in the international spotlight. The film’s selection also reflects the growing presence of Filipino stories and filmmakers in major international film festivals.
