Sunshine, starring Kapamilya star Maris Racal, is set to be released in North America.
As reported by Screen Daily, Indiecan Entertainment has secured the North American distribution rights to the film. The agreement also includes the remake rights, with plans underway for an English-language adaptation. The remake will be directed by Indiecan’s Avi Federgreen.
Film director Antoinette Jadaone took to Instagram to mark the milestone. "Na-announce naaaa!!! Finallehhhh a North American distribution deal + remake rights + English-language adaptation for Sunshine ❤️🥹 signed and sealed at the Cannes Market. Thank you to our sales agent @michaelangelomcfly @sineinstitute doing the work there in Cannes💪🏽," she posted.
The director also hinted plans for a Philippine theatrical release which will be announced soon.
Fans online were quick to extend their congratulatory messages to the whole team of Sunshine.
"Congratulations direk, Project 8, Maris and the whole team. Grabeeeee 🔥," one fan commented.
"Bravo team Sunshine," another fan wrote.
Back in February, Sunshine won the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.
The Crystal Bear was awarded to the Best Feature Film of both the Generation Kplus and the Generation 14plus competition.
Sunshine follows the story of "a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her," as per its IMDb.
In an interview in 2024, Maris shared that she trained for a year for her role in Sunshine.
"I really pushed my limits and trained for it. Kahit mahirap, pinilit ko," she shared. "It was made through blood, sweat, and tears. Talagang pinaghirapan namin. 2020 pa yung script. It made me very emotional because one year ako nag train. Nakita ko pelikula, trailer iba dating sa akin. Maganda story."
Maris remarked that the film helped her evolve more as an actress.
"Sa film na 'to, I’ve grown so much as an actress," she said in an Instagram post in January 2024 as she wrapped up filming for the movie.
"Ito 'yung project na magiging proud ako na nagawa ko dahil sa sobrang ganda ng mensahe. Thank you direk [Antoinette Jadaone] ako napili mo."