Sylvia Sanchez celebrates Filipino co-produced ‘Renoir’ competing in Cannes

— International collaborations are proving to be a boon for the Philippine film industry as another movie co-produced by local studios was screened in the 2025 Cannes Film Festival over the weekend.

Japanese art film “Renoir” is a collaboration among 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 and Nathan Studios. 

It was directed by Japanese auteur Chie Hayakawa, and co-produced with Eiko Mizuno Gray and Jason Gray, Christophe Bruncher, Yulia Evina Bhara, Alemberg Ang, and Sylvia Sanchez, with international sales being handled by Goodfellas.

Hayakawa’s debut feature film “Plan 75” won the Caméra d’Or — Mention Spéciale at the 2022 edition of the festival.

The producers of “Renoir” graced the red-carpet ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival in France last May 17.

Sanchez, chief executive officer of Nathan Studios, beamed with pride for having co-produced the film, saying it boosted her company’s chances to strike more international partnerships and reach a wider market. 

“This international collaboration creates a massive positive impact to 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 said.

“Malaking impact ito. The mere fact na three years pa lang kami nagpupunta sa Cannes as a producer, isa na kami sa nakapag-partnership sa international productions at nakapag-red carpet muli dito sa Cannes,” the actress-producer added.

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“I am hoping for more Filipino film producers to enter the global stage whether it is solo or collaboration with other foreign producers.”

Two of Nathan Studio’s previous projects — psychological thriller “Cattleya Killer” in 2022 and action flick “Topakk” in 2023, both starring actor and Sanchez’s son Arjo Atayde — also premiered at Cannes, gaining the attention of international film buyers and distributors.

Sanchez, who celebrated her birthday in the European country, is raving about the fact that “Renoir” made it to the festival’s main competition.

“I’m still in disbelief and absolutely ecstatic that ‘Renoir’ (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,” she added.

A coming-of-age drama about a daughter coping with the illness of her father, “Renoir” is vying for the coveted Palme d’Or grand prize.

It tells the story of 11-year-old Fuki — played by newcomer Yui Suzuki — whose father is battling a terminal illness, and whose mother is already stressed out with their situation. She later becomes fascinated with telepathy and leads herself into her own fantasy world.

Hikari Ishida and Lily Franky also star in the movie, which will be released in Japan on June 20.