Filipino filmmaker Arvin Belarmino is bringing his debut feature “Ria” into production following his successful run with two back-to-back short films at Cannes.
The punk drama follows Ria, an orphaned Filipina punk musician raised in a Manila punk commune called Tarima. The story centers on her struggle to protect her chosen family’s community from demolition and corruption while working as a housekeeper at the Oriental Hotel to help fund medical care for Olga, the commune’s diabetic matriarch.
Belarmino co-wrote the screenplay with Kyla Danelle Romero, his collaborator on “Radikals” (Cannes Critics’ Week 2024) and co-director on “Agapito” (Short Film Competition, Cannes 2025). Kristine De Leon produces the project, having previously worked on Belarmino’s Cannes shorts and the special mention winner “Ali” (2025), directed by Adnan Al Rajeev.
Nour Hooshmand, who appeared in “Blue Room” and “Agapito” at Cannes Short Film Main Competition 2025, stars in the title role. Veteran Filipina actress Sylvia Sanchez, known for “Silig” (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight), plays the commune’s matriarch Olga.
The supporting cast includes Cedrick Juan (“GomBurZa,” Metro Manila Film Festival best actor 2023), Iana Bernardez (“Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus,” CineFilipino Film Festival best actress nominee 2018), and “Agapito” alumni Andre Miguel and Veronica Reyes.
“Her story, her silences, her struggles, her strength stays with me,” Hooshmand said of her role. “Surrounded by the extraordinary team behind Ria, I’m inspired to dig deeper, to be a braver artist, and to give her truth and humanity. I hope to honor a story that reminds us that resistance lives in all of us and to bring light to what is too often left in the dark.”
According to Belarmino, “Ria” is “the story of anyone who has lost someone to a broken system, anyone who refuses to be silenced, and anyone who believes in the power of resistance.”
The film is dedicated to Pong Spotanyo, described as a punk artist, co-creator and friend whose vision continues to inspire the project.
“Ria” has participated in development programs including Semaine de la Critique Next Step, Festival de Cannes Cinéfondation La Résidence, and Institut Français La Fabrique Cinéma. The production has received funding from Purin Pictures, the FDCP International Co-production Fund, and Norway’s Sørfond. It also participated at the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market.
