ANIMA Studios and Project 8 Projects proudly announce their latest collaboration via feature film “Sunshine.” Directed by the prolific Antoinette Jadaone, it stars Maris Racal, who has proven her acting prowess in previous ANIMA projects, including the series “Simula sa Gitna” and international film festival favorite “Where Is The Lie?”
“Sunshine” tells the story of a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her.
The film marks Racal’s third collaboration with Jadaone after successful projects “Simula Sa Gitna” and “The Kangks Show.” Jadaone’s internationally acclaimed portfolio which includes 2011’s “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay ” and 2020’s “Fan Girl” sets a promising stage for Racal’s portrayal.
In an exclusive conversation with Hollywood entertainment news outlet Deadline, the renowned filmmaker shares the inspiration behind the film, stating “Sunshine represents the hundreds of thousands of girls who became pregnant in their teens. These topics have always been taboo in the Philippines because of our deeply conservative roots, but when cases of teenage pregnancy and self-induced abortions rise every year, it is imperative that these stories be told.”
Bianca Balbuena, General Manager of ANIMA, shares: “Collaborating with Project 8 Projects has been a wonderful experience. ‘Sunshine’ boldly addresses sensitive topics related to womanhood, the layers that complicate it, and the societal demands Filipinas face today. Director Antoinette Jadaone’s body of work speaks largely about these themes, and we’re honored to be a part of making this story come to life. We strongly believe that many will relate to this tale.”
ANIMA strives to amplify Filipino talent globally through its creator-focused approach and bold content, as seen in films like the Sundance-winning “Leonor Will Never Die” and the genre-defying “Whether the Weather is Fine (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)” Meanwhile, Project 8 Projects, led by acclaimed directors Jadaone and Dan Villegas, continues to shape Philippine cinema with notable works such as pop culture classic “That Thing Called Tadhana” and “The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw).”
“Sunshine” is currently in post-production.
