Fun fact: Many of the most successful and beloved Filipino films are helmed by women. In fact, eight out of the ten highest-grossing Filipino films were directed by women. From industry icons like Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Joyce Bernal, and Olivia Lamasan to today’s rising stars, female directors have played a crucial role in shaping Philippine cinema.
Here are five Filipina directors who are making waves today in the industry and proving that the future of film is female.
1. Antoinette Jadaone
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Antoinette Jadaone has mastered the art of storytelling that tugs at the heartstrings. Known for her smart and emotionally resonant romantic dramedies like That Thing Called Tadhana and Alone/Together, Jadaone has cemented her place as one of the country’s most celebrated filmmakers. Most recently, her 2024 film Sunshine premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and even won the prestigious Crystal Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her stories feel intimate yet universal—a signature that makes her work unforgettable.
2. Cathy Garcia-Sampana
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When it comes to box-office success, Cathy Garcia-Sampana is the queen. Not only did she direct Hello, Love, Again, the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, but she also has four films in the overall Top 10, including Hello, Love, Goodbye, The Hows of Us, and A Second Chance. Her ability to craft swoon-worthy love stories with undeniable chemistry has made her a household name in Philippine cinema. If you’ve ever laughed, cried, and sighed over a Filipino romance movie, chances are, it was directed by her.
3. Isabel Sandoval
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Isabel Sandoval has been making waves internationally with her deeply personal and boundary-pushing films. The U.S.-based director first gained recognition in 2011, but it was her 2019 feature Lingua Franca that put her on the global stage, premiering at the Venice Film Festival and earning accolades worldwide. Her next film, Moonglow, was shot in the Philippines and stars herself alongside Arjo Atayde. Sandoval’s work is known for its quiet intensity, tackling themes of identity, immigration, and gender with grace and power.
4. Ramona S. Diaz
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