First Light

A nun encounters a lethal criminal conspiracy and begins to question her beliefs in this poetic, sensory meditation on faith, power and corruption.

A gentle and mild-mannered middle-aged nun living in a neglected centuries-old convent, Sister Yolanda sees her mission in life as giving spiritual guidance to the people of her community and, particularly, young novice Sister Arlene. Her conscience is left shaken, however, when she bears witness to a strange and distressing sequence of events in a hospital room. At first puzzled, she soon realises that the incident may have more sinister and far-reaching implications – and that high-ranking figures are determined to stop her, or anyone else, from finding out the truth.

Shot in a verdant mountainous landscape in northern Luzon, this MIFF Premiere Fund–supported feature debut by celebrated Filipino-Australian photographer James J. Robinson evokes Ingmar Bergman’s Winter Light and Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s Black Narcissus in its masterfully composed images and thought-provoking interrogation of faith. Starring veteran Filipina actor Ruby Ruiz and industry legend Maricel Soriano, First Light is a slow-burn crime drama that you won’t be able to tear your eyes from.

This session will be followed by a Q&A with actor Emmanuel Santos.

Winner of the Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award - James J. Robinson.

The Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award recognises an outstanding Australian director of a film playing in the MIFF 2025 program with a A$50,000 cash prize and a fully kitted URSA Cine 12K camera valued at A$27,500.