For celebrated actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez, the glitz of the Cannes Film Festival wasn’t just about the gowns, the flashing cameras, or the red carpet strut — it was about a long, quiet journey of commitment, faith and creative collaboration finally bearing fruit.

After three years of returning to Cannes not as a celebrity guest but as a producer determined to bring Philippine cinema to the global stage, Sanchez has finally achieved what she once quietly prayed for: a film co-produced by her own Nathan Studios has made it to the prestigious Main Competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

“All the hard work, quiet perseverance, and countless sacrifices… they all led to this moment,” she shared.

The film is a remarkable international collaboration, bringing together talents and resources from Japan’s Happinet Studios, France’s Ici et Là Productions, Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia, Indonesia’s Kawan Kawan Media, and the Philippines’ Daluyong Studios alongside Nathan Studios. The project’s global scope reflects not only the evolving landscape of cinema but also the Philippines’ growing influence in world film.

“Today, we walked the red carpet here in Cannes… humbled, overwhelmed, and deeply thankful that our film was chosen to be part of the Main Competition,” Sanchez wrote in a heartfelt tribute posted online.

She made special mention of Alemberg “Rommie” Ang of Daluyong Studios, whose vision and partnership paved the way for this cinematic milestone. “Your trust, vision, and generosity brought us here,” Sanchez said, “and for that, Nathan Studios will always be grateful.”

For Sanchez, this moment is more than a personal triumph, it’s a symbolic breakthrough for Filipino producers and storytellers. It signals a new era where Philippine cinema doesn’t just participate in global conversations, it helps shape them.

Clad in elegance and emotion, Sylvia Sanchez didn’t just walk the red carpet in Cannes, she walked into a new chapter of Philippine cinema history.