International collaboration is offering significant hope for the Philippine film industry to expand into the global market, following Nathan Studios' success over the past three years. The company recently co-produced the Japanese art film "Renoir," which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival over the weekend.
"Renoir" is a joint effort involving Japan’s Happinet Studios, France’s Ici et Là Productions, Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia, Indonesia’s Kawan Kawan Media, and the Philippines’ Daluyong Studio and Nathan Studios. International sales for the film are being handled by Goodfellas.
Actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, the chief executive of Nathan Studios, expressed her gratitude for co-producing the film. She said it has provided the company with opportunities for international partnerships and access to the global market, in addition to another red-carpet appearance at the Cannes Film Festival.
"This international collaboration creates a massive positive impact on the Filipino film industry, it also gives a lot of hope to Filipino film producers to go to the global market, especially here in Cannes," Sanchez-Atayde said.
She highlighted the significance of Nathan Studios, being a producer for only three years, already partnering on international productions and attending the Cannes red carpet again. "I am hoping for more Filipino film producers to enter the global stage, whether it is solo or in collaboration with other foreign producers," she added.
Two of Nathan Studio’s earlier films, the psychological thriller "Cattleya Killer" (2022) and the action film "Topakk" (2023), also premiered at the Cannes Film Festivals, both starring veteran actor and Quezon City Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde. These films garnered attention from international film buyers, enthusiasts, and distributors over the past three years.
Sanchez-Atayde, who celebrated her birthday in Europe, said she was "ecstatic" that "Renoir" was part of the main competition at Cannes.
"I’m still in disbelief and absolutely ecstatic that Renoir (directed by Chie Hayakawa, and co-produced with Eiko Mizuno Gray and Jason Gray, Christophe Bruncher, Yulia Evina Bhara, and Alemberg Ang) was selected as part of the 2025 Cannes competition slate," Sanchez explained. "When we were starting out with Nathan Studios, this was only something we dreamt of and aimed for—and now, it is finally here. All the hard work, determination, belief, and prayers have borne fruit!"
"Renoir," a coming-of-age drama directed by Japanese auteur Chie Hayakawa ("Plan 75"), tells the story of Fuki, an 11-year-old girl coping with her father’s terminal illness and her mother’s stress as his caregiver. Fuki becomes fascinated with telepathy and retreats into her own fantasy world.
The multinational production, co-financed by Nathan Studios, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival over the weekend (May 17) and is scheduled for release in Japan on June 20. The film stars newcomer Yui Suzuki as Fuki, alongside Hikari Ishida and Lily Franky.
Reviews for "Renoir" have been largely positive. Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline noted the film's beauty and the strength of the performances, despite a scattered narrative. Jessica Kiang of Variety described it as a "slender but appealingly impressionistic story" of a young girl's summer. Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter called the film a "poetic meditation" on a crucial summer in Fuki's life. All reviewers praised the compelling performance of Yui Suzuki.