In the mountains of the Philippines, a young construction worker dies in unusual circumstances. An elderly nun, Sister Yolanda, is forced to reckon with his death and face the unavoidable questions it raises about the church and community she’s dedicated her life to serving.
In cinemas in Australia July 9.
In cinemas in the Philippines June 24.
“An astonishing debut... a quiet miracle of a film”
— Andy Hazel, The Curb
“Breathtaking”
— Lé Baltar, In Review Online
“Visually exquisite”
★ ★ ★ ★
— Richard Gray, The Reel Bits
“An epic masterpiece”
— E Nina Rothe
“A remarkably assured work”
Critic’s Pick
— Rory O’Connor, The Film Stage
“A thoughtful and lyrical film unafraid to do things differently”
★ ★ ★ ★
— Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film
“A precisely crafted, meditative exploration of ethics”
— Allan Hunter, Screen Daily
★ ★ ★ ★
— Scott Wilson, Loud and Clear
Screenings
Past
August 9, 2026New Zealand International Film Festival
Official Selection
July 9, 2026
Theatrical release, Australia
June 24, 2026
Theatrical release, Philippines
June 2026
Shanghai Film Festival
Australia Focus
June 2026
Sydney Film Festival
Official Selection
RUNNER UP — Gio Audience Award Best Australian Film
April 2026
MOOOV Festival, Belgium
Official Selection
March 2026
Glasgow International Film Festival
Audience Award Nominee
February 2026
International Film Festival Rotterdam
Harbour section
February 2026
Perth Festival
Official Selection
December 2025
Marrakech International Film Festival
Official Competition – Étoile d’Or Nominee
August 2025
Melbourne International Film Festival
Bright Horizons Competition
WINNER — Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award
Upcoming
October 16, 2026
Lima Alterna Film Festival w/ Q&A – Tickets
Official Selection
November 5, 2026
Miami Film Festival GEMS w/ Q&A – Tickets
Official Selection
Check back for more screenings or sign up for exclusive updates:
- Ruby Ruiz as Sister Yolanda
- Kare Adea as Sister Arlene
- Maricel Soriano as Linda Dela Cruz
- Emmanuel Santos as Cesar
- Soliman Cruz as Father Claridad
- Rez Cortez as Edward Dela Cruz
- Lui Manansala as Mother Angie
- Kidlat Tahimik as Diwa
- BJ Fores as Angelo
Download cast biographies
- Written and directed by James J Robinson
- Produced by Gabrielle Pearson and Jane Pe Aguirre
- Co-produced by Christelle Lou Dychangco
- Cinematography by Amy Dellar
- Production design by Tiffany Dias
- Edited by Geri Docherty
- Costume design by Kevin Cheung
- Music by Ana Roxanne Recto
- Executive production by Nick Batzias, Virginia Whitwell, Anthony Robinson, Ester Harding, Michael Agar, Cora Palfrey and Jordan Allwood
- Associate production by Laura Apelt
- Casting by Juliana Ysla
Screen Australia in association with VicScreen presents a Majella production, in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund, with support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Film Philippines.
- Sales agents: Independent Entertainment
- Australia/NZ distribution: Bonsai Films
- Philippines distribution: Clou Media Productions
Press
Articles
The Hollywood Reporter‘Oscars: Australia Picks ‘First Light’ as International Feature Contender’
Scott Roxborough
GQ Australia
‘Filmmaker James J Robinson’s Quiet Revolution’
Tyler Dane Wingco
The Saturday Paper
‘Director James J Robinson on ‘First Light’’
Andy Hazel
Vogue Philippines
‘First Light screens in the Philippines for the Benefit of Masungi Georeserve’
Daphne Sagun
Sydney Morning Herald
A burnt blazer was just the beginning for this young director
Gary Maddox
Vogue Australia
With his debut feature First Light, James J Robinson is making films differently
Nina Miyashita
Deadline
‘First Light’: James J. Robinson Talks Questioning Faith, Shooting In The Philippines & Exorcisms On Set
Diana Lodderhorse
Variety
Rotterdam’s ‘First Light’ Director James J. Robinson on Faith, Doubt and Decolonization, Clip Unveiled
Naman Ramachandran
ABC News
In his debut feature, James J Robinson illuminates his evolving relationship with faith and Filipino identity
Jamie Tram
Vogue Philippines
Ruby Ruiz, Kare Adea, and James J. Robinson on Filming First Light
Daphne Sagun
Esquire Australia
James J Robinson’s Leap of Faith
Tara Kenny
Tatler Asia
James J Robinson’s ‘First Light’ challenges the idea of religion as a way to control people
Gabriel Bohol
Inside Film Magazine
‘It was a really beautiful process’: How James J. Robinson’s Australian and Filipino culture breathed life into ‘First Light’
Sean Slatter
ABC News Asia
'First Light' by James J. Robinson deals with "spiritual doubt"
Yvonne Yong
Broadsheet
James J Robinson Never Wanted To Be a Photographer. With First Light, He Makes His Filmmaking Debut
Chynna Santos
Reviews
The Australian‘First Light’ is an astonishing masterwork on faith and corruption
Nikki Gemmell
ABS-CBN
In First Light, faith and power cast long shadows over a quiet town
Jeeves De Veyra
Screen Hub
‘First Light’: A luminous reckoning with darkness
Stephen A Russell
Screen Daily
‘First Light’ review: A nun wrestles with her faith in assured, precisely crafted Philippines-set debut
Allan Hunter
In Review Online
First Light: IFFR ‘26
Lé Baltar
The Curb
MIFF Review: First Light is an astonishing debut feature from James J. Robinson
Andy Hazel
The Film Verdict
First Light
Carmen Gray
The Film Stage
Rotterdam Review: First Light is a Calm, Confident Debut
Rory O’Connor
Movie Scramble
First Light – Review from Glasgow Film Festival
Mary Munoz
The Reel Bits
First Light
Richard Gray
E Nina Rothe
A pint-sized heroine fills the screen in James J. Robinson's beautifully epic story 'First Light'
Eye for Film
First Light
Jennie Kermode
Contact
Sophie Wong
Sales, Independent Entertainment
sophie@independent-ent.com
Bonsai Films
Australia/NZ distribution
info@bonsaifilms.com.au
Clou Media Productions
Philippines distribution
firstlight@cloudmediaproductions.com
Elizabeth Noonan
Australian press, NixCo
elizabeth@nixco.com.au
Mikey Ellis
International press, Independent Entertainment
mikey@independent-ent.com
Download press kit
Gabrielle Pearson
Majella Productions
gabrielle@majella.tv
Christelle Lou Dychangco
Clou Media Productions
christelle@cloumediaproductions.com
info@firstlight.film