From Cinemalaya to the World: ‘Open Endings’ Set for International Festival Run
After dominating the local scene, the sapphic hit Open Endings is taking its storytelling global. The film, which topped the Cinemalaya box office in 2025, is now transitioning from Philippine screens to prestigious international queer cinema festivals in the United States and the United Kingdom.
US Premiere at Wicked Queer
The international journey begins in Boston, where Open Endings will have its United States premiere on April 6 at the Wicked Queer festival. This move marks a significant milestone for the production, bringing its exploration of queer relationships to a North American audience.
UK Premiere at Queer East Festival
Following its US debut, the film will head to London for the Queer East Festival. The seventh edition of this cross-disciplinary celebration runs from May 1 to June 6, 2026, showcasing boundary-pushing cinema and live arts from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.
Queer East 2026 is a comprehensive five-week event featuring screenings across various London venues, including the Barbican Centre, BFI Southbank, and the ICA. By including Open Endings in its programme, the festival continues its mission to explore the ever-evolving queer landscape of Southeast Asia.
Inside ‘Open Endings’: Plot and Production
Directed by Nigel Santos and written by Keavy Eunice Vicente, Open Endings is a drama/romance that delves into the complexities of adulthood and chosen families. The film follows four queer women in their early 30s—Hannah, Charlie, Kit, and Mihan—who share a deeply entangled history of first loves, heartbreaks, and one-night stands. While their romantic relationships eventually ended, the narrative focuses on how their friendship remained strong.
The film features a powerhouse cast, including:
- Janella Salvador
- Klea Pineda
- Leanne Mamonong
- Jasmine Curtis-Smith
According to the director’s statement, the project emerged from a personal need to explore queer relationship dynamics that are rarely depicted on screen.
Key Takeaways: ‘Open Endings’ Global Tour
- Cinemalaya Success: Topped the 2025 Cinemalaya box office.
- US Premiere: April 6 at the Wicked Queer festival in Boston.
- UK Premiere: Featured at the Queer East Festival (May 1 – June 6, 2026) in London.
- Core Theme: Navigates the lives of four queer women in their 30s who are exes-turned-best-friends.
As Open Endings makes its way through these international circuits, it highlights the growing global appetite for authentic Southeast Asian queer narratives and the ability of Filipino cinema to resonate far beyond its borders.