On May 13, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival officially kicks off and Filipino short film Agapito stands out as one of two short films set to shine a spotlight on Philippine cinema. It’s a momentous and historic landmark for the Philippines as one of Agapito‘s directors, Kyla Danelle Romero, becomes the first Filipino woman to have her work at Cannes, according to the film’s production team. But because of financial issues, the short’s own cast may miss their shot seeing their film on the global stage.
Agapito, directed by Romero and Arvin Belarmino, tells the story of a young bowling pin setter named Mira (Nour Hooshmand), whose days are spent manually resetting the pins of a rundown bowling alley. While the job is dangerous, Mira needs the work to support her older brother Junior (André Miguel), who lives with cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
“The film is dedicated to all our loved ones who we long to spend quality time with in the midst of our busy lives,” Belarmino told Rolling Stone Philippines. Belarmino named the short film after his brother, who also lives with special needs. Co-director Romero also noted the project’s personal ties with her own father, who supported her family by working at a sports facility. “Agapito is a film inspired by our loved ones and the things we are most passionate about,” said Romero.
“Hindi kami nag-aim for Cannes,” Anton Nolasco, one of the short film’s cast members, told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Hindi namin inexpect. Mas masarap kung hindi ka umaasa para genuine yung saya.” The cast of Agapito echoed this sentiment, with Hooshmand calling the experience “shocking and overwhelming.”
However, the cast faces several financial hurdles that could keep them from attending Agapito’s Cannes premiere. “We only received the news last week,” cast member André Miguel told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Hindi ang visa work ang malaking problema — hindi talaga kami handa for a big trip.”
Since the 2025 short film selection was first announced in April, the team behind Agapito has been scrambling to raise the necessary funds, uncertain if they’ll make it in time for the prestigious event. “It’s worth noting that most of us are theater actors,” Hooshmand told Rolling Stone Philippines, “and as independent artists, we really rely on our friends and family for support.”
Carl Chavez, who leads the short film’s PR and marketing efforts, voiced his frustration over the financial struggles preventing the cast from attending Cannes. “The challenge when we ask for funding is [that] it’s really hard to get people to believe in us,” Chavez told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Remember how Dolly De Leon started as a theater actor? It only took someone believing in her and giving her a chance. We’re asking for that same opportunity for our actors.”
As of writing, it is still unclear who among the cast and crew will be able to make it to Cannes. Each cast member is doing their part, from crowdfunding efforts to reaching out to supporters, in hopes of raising funds to attend the prestigious event. For instance, cast member Jeremy Mayores will be hosting a fundraising screening on May 7 at Sine Pop in Cubao, with proceeds going to the cast’s travel expenses. More information on fundraising efforts can be found here.
