Most filmmakers dream of seeing their movies be recognized by the Academy Awards, or at least enter the conversation in one form or another. But for a debut film, mainly made by a group of first-time filmmakers, to have the chance to get a nomination feels more fiction than reality.
Yet, that is the life Cebu-based creative, producer, and founder and CEO of Clou Media Productions Christelle Lou is living now after the film she helped produce, First Light, was chosen by Australia to be its representative for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Oscars. For her, to get this kind of opportunity at this early in her filmmaking career feels unreal, but also validation that working on this movie was more than worth it.
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How Christelle Lou Found Out About First Light’s Oscar Submission
First Light, which tells the story of an elderly nun in the Philippines who begins to question her faith and belief in the system after witnessing corruption in her local community, is the first-ever co-production between the Philippines and Australia, hence making it eligible to be chosen for the Academy Awards by the latter. As one of its producers, Lou knew that the film was under active consideration. She and the rest of the core team, though, didn’t want to assume too much, to manage their expectations.
So, when the call came, it was like a wave of euphoria fell over Lou. “I was actually in Bangkok for our special screening where we screened First Light and held a talk about the EGL (Eddie Garcia Law). While in the hotel lobby, I gasped so hard reading my phone that the person at reception ran over to me because she thought something was wrong. But I immediately said to her no, just good news,” Lou recalls to MEGA.
It was a moment that marked the latest, and biggest, achievement for the slow-burn drama to date. While First Light may not have exactly lit up the local box office when it played in local cinemas last June, it has appeared in numerous international film festivals over the past year, and took home a couple awards, too. So, having the film get Australia’s seal of approval is a milestone she’ll never forget. “Honestly, my initial reaction was this feeling of justice. Then came the pride, and then just pure excitement.”
The movie has been years in the making, with Lou trying to secure grants and funding alongside producers Jane Pe Aguirre, Gab Pearson, and its Filipino-Australian writer and director James Robinson as early as 2023. While no stranger to working in film and media, First Light was Lou’s first full-fledged feature film she produced, not to mention it being Robinson’s debut feature, making its success that much more of an unexpected welcome. But to hear it from Lou, as grateful as she is, she also believes part of it comes from her manifesting the moment.
“I’ve imagined this when I wrote my first letter to my future self, 10 years ago. I’d draw the word Oscars down with the trophy in so many of my collages and visualizations but never taking it so seriously. It was more of a fun and recognizable goal.” More than just divine manifestation, though, Lou credits the team who believed in making the movie a reality. “With First Light, we always dreamt big, so it was a possibility. We never doubted each other’s dreams and goals, which made everything feel possible.”
What It’s Like to Champion a Filipino Story on the World Stage
With First Light’s status as a potential Oscar contender now secured, what comes next is arguably the harder part: the campaign. Lou and the rest of the team are currently gearing up for the movie’s North American leg in the last quarter, which will comprise special screenings, impact conversations, and the expected Oscar campaigning as they hope to make it into the category’s shortlist at the end of the year and potentially get nominated in 2027.
“We’re really excited about it because one of our biggest strengths has always been connecting with audiences directly,” says Lou on First Light’s next chapter, adding how much of a help lead star Ruby Ruiz and director James Robinson have been during their film festival appearances.
Aside from impressing critics with its cinematography, acting, and encroaching sense of dread, Lou sees First Light’s success as the effect of “rookies” connecting with audiences wherever engagement is possible. “I think a big part of what has helped us “win” audiences over has been being there and having these conversations as first-time filmmakers, giving importance to impact too. There’s something inspiring about audiences getting to meet the people behind the film, hear why we made it and get to know us; that representation on both Australian and Filipino sides matters.”
Regardless of what happens next, Lou is beyond proud and still in a little bit of a state of shock at how far First Light has come. As she gears up to head to North America soon, the Filipina creative knows that what she has to promote is a product of hard work, trust, and talent between two countries that saw the finish line in spite of the challenges.
“We all made some huge sacrifices to get here. I think to myself a lot that filmmakers wait years for this moment, and I have a lot of questions that validate my fate and my path in this lifetime. I’m just starting and have so much more to learn, but to already come this far makes me really excited for what else is possible!”
As an up-and-coming producer, Lou knows what it feels like to think you don’t belong or you aren’t on the right path. But with the honor, it’s recognition that she does have a place in the industry and that stories like First Light are worth telling.
“There are a lot of moments where I really felt defeated, but I really feel a lot of hope from being submitted, that there is justice, that good things do happen, and that there really is a bigger plan for all of us if we all just have a little faith and have a little fun. The recognition really makes me feel validated and valued. I’m so grateful to be spotlighting both countries.”
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of Christelle Lou
Frequently Asked Questions
First Light is a Philippines-Australia co-production about an elderly nun in the Philippines questioning her faith after witnessing corruption. Australia selected it as its official Best International Feature Film submission for the 2027 Oscars.
First Light was produced by Cebu-based creative Christelle Lou, founder and CEO of Clou Media Productions, alongside producers Jane Pe Aguirre and Gab Pearson, and directed by Filipino-Australian filmmaker James Robinson.
Christelle Lou learned the news while in Bangkok for a special First Light screening; she reacted so strongly reading her phone in a hotel lobby that a receptionist rushed over, thinking something was wrong.
First Light stars Ruby Ruiz, whose performance, along with James Robinson’s direction, has been noted as a strong asset during the film’s international festival appearances and its Oscar campaign.
The First Light team is preparing for a North American campaign leg in the final quarter of the year, including special screenings and impact conversations, aiming for a category shortlist and a possible 2027 nomination.
