Filipino director Bianca Catbagan has been selected for the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women+ 2027 cohort, the third Filipino in 50 years. She will develop her historical drama 'Royal Blood,' reimagining José Rizal’s Maria Clara through a sapphic perspective. Based in Los Angeles, she follows mentor Marie Jamora, the first Filipino admitted in 2019.
Bianca Catbagan, who earned her film degree from the University of the Philippines in 2010 and an MFA in directing and screenwriting from Columbia University in 2018, drew inspiration from Marie Jamora’s 'Ang Nawawala.' “Ang Nawawala changed what I thought an interesting story could be,” she said.
'Royal Blood' follows two lovers in late 1880s Manila—played by Elena Heuzé and Sam Morelos—whose relationship complicates with the arrival of a Rizalian character portrayed by Marsha Rosales. It marks her third collaboration with Heuzé and was written by her partner, Andrea A. Walter. The short will be shot in California, with Los Angeles standing in for Old Manila.
“It’s a big milestone for me to be part of this program,” Catbagan said. “Breaking into the film industry in LA is tough, especially as an immigrant.”
She has prior shorts including 'Letters to the Future' (2014), 'Saturno' (2018), and 'Apartment 605' (2023), screened at festivals like Queer East and LA Asian Pacific. She also co-directed the feature 'Suntok sa Buwan' (2012).
