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A scene from 'First Light'
Australia has selected “First Light,” the feature debut of Filipino-Australian filmmaker James J. Robinson, as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, industry publications FilmInk and IF Magazine reported.
The selection marks a milestone for Australian and Philippine cinema, with “First Light” becoming the first Australian-Filipino co-production and Australia's first official Tagalog-language submission for the Oscars.
Movie review: In 'First Light,' faith and power cast long shadows over a quiet town
According to the reports, Screen Australia convened the industry committee that selected the film to represent the country at the 2027 Academy Awards. Under Academy rules, films submitted in the international feature category must be produced outside the United States and have more than 50% of their dialogue in a language other than English.
In a statement, Screen Australia said the selection committee praised “First Light” as “a meditative work about an aging woman who questions her faith as her world begins to crumble around her,” describing it as “an impressive debut that is a shining example of Australian filmmaking.”
Written and directed by Robinson, “First Light” was filmed in the mountains of northern Luzon and explores spiritual doubt, institutional corruption and postcolonial trauma.
The film follows Sister Yolanda, played by Filipino actress Ruby Ruiz, a Catholic nun living in a remote mountain convent whose quiet life is disrupted after a young worker dies in a construction accident. Suspecting foul play, she investigates the death and uncovers a wider network of corruption involving regional elites and the Church.
The cast also includes Maricel Soriano, Rez Cortez and Philippine National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik.
“First Light” premiered at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival in the Bright Horizons competition, where Robinson won the $50,000 Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award from a jury led by “Aftersun” director Charlotte Wells.
The film later screened in competition at the Marrakech International Film Festival, as well as at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Shanghai International Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival and New Zealand International Film Festival.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is scheduled to announce the 15-film shortlist for the international feature category on December 15. The five nominees will be announced January 21, 2027.
The 99th Academy Awards will be held March 14, 2027.