Filipino film Laya world-premieres at London's Women and the World festival on 7 November
Sigrid Bernardo's Laya, starring Andrea Brillantes, has its world premiere at Rio Cinema on 7 November during WWIFF 2026, with a post-screening Q&A. Abante Tonite reported the only Philippine competition entry.
Filipino film Laya will have its world premiere on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at Rio Cinema in London as part of the Women and the World International Film Festival, Abante Tonite reported on 6 November.
The Eventbrite listing for the Women and the World International Film Festival 2026 places the screening at 107 Kingsland High Street, London, on Saturday, 7 November, starting at 2 pm (14:00). Rio Cinema's programme lists the same date and 14:00 start, with Tagalog dialogue and English subtitles.
Competition entry and Q&A
Abante Tonite said Laya was selected for the festival's Feature Fiction Competition and is the only Philippine entry, competing with films from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Eventbrite also labels the title as a Feature Fiction Competition world premiere followed by a Q&A with Arleen Cuevas and Andrea Brillantes.
Rio Cinema says the special event includes an in-person post-screening Q&A with actress Andrea Brillantes and producer Arleen Cuevas. Eventbrite credits director Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo and lists a runtime of 1 hour 42 minutes; Rio Cinema lists 102 minutes.
Opening gala and Philippine release
Abante Tonite reported that Laya received a special spotlight at the festival Opening Gala on 5 November London time, with Brillantes attending and delivering a speech. In that speech, she thanked the festival for championing women's stories and said Laya means freedom in Filipino.
Abante Tonite said the film is produced by Rein Entertainment, stars Brillantes with JC Santos and Anthony Jennings, and is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines through its CreatePH Large Budget Production Grant. The same report said Laya will also open in the Philippines on 25 November 2026 after the London premiere.
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- Laya's world premiere is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 14:00 at Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London, as part of WWIFF 2026.
- Abante Tonite reported on 6 November that Laya is the only Philippine Feature Fiction Competition entry at the festival.
- A post-screening Q&A with Andrea Brillantes and producer Arleen Cuevas is listed by Eventbrite and Rio Cinema.
- Director Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo; runtime listed as 1 hour 42 minutes (Eventbrite) / 102 minutes (Rio Cinema).
- Abante Tonite said a Philippine theatrical release is set for 25 November 2026.
Official sources
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