Phil Giordano’s Filipino sports drama screens October 16 and 19 in California, with Fire & Ice Media handling worldwide sales.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — October 13, 2026 — Filipino sports drama Bilyarista, starring Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner John Arcilla and actress Loisa Andalio, is set to make its North American premiere at the 27th Newport Beach Film Festival in California, with screenings scheduled for October 16 and 19, 2026.
Written and directed by Italian-American filmmaker Phil Giordano, the 90-minute feature is produced by Gale Osorio and Shreyom Ghosh under Tasia Films Limited, with Philippine-based Fire & Ice Media handling worldwide sales across all territories.
The film arrives in California following its participation in the 2025 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, continuing its international festival journey with a story rooted in the Philippines’ billiards culture.
A Young Woman’s Fight for Freedom
Set against the world of underground billiards and gambling in Manila, Bilyarista follows Aya (Andalio), a gifted young billiards player from an impoverished community who dreams of becoming a champion.
Her ambitions take a devastating turn when her father is murdered over unpaid debt. Left vulnerable, Aya falls under the control of her uncle Itoy (Arcilla), who exploits her exceptional talent in the dangerous world of underground gambling.
Forced to navigate a system where her abilities are treated as a commodity, Aya must confront the people controlling her future and find the courage to reclaim her freedom.
Blending the tension of a sports drama with the emotional stakes of a young woman’s struggle for independence, Bilyarista explores ambition, exploitation, survival, and the difficult choices that come with pursuing a dream.
At its center is a young woman determined to take control of her own destiny in a world where the odds are stacked against her.
John Arcilla and Loisa Andalio Lead the Cast
The film brings together two performers from different generations of Philippine entertainment.
Arcilla, internationally recognized for his Volpi Cup-winning performance in On the Job: The Missing 8 at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival, portrays Itoy, a character whose relationship with Aya becomes central to the film’s conflict.
Andalio takes on the lead role of Aya, carrying the story of a young woman whose determination and extraordinary talent are tested by poverty, grief, and manipulation.
Through their performances, the film examines the complicated dynamics of power, family, and survival, set against a sport deeply embedded in Philippine popular culture.
Giordano and Arcilla are expected to attend the Newport Beach Film Festival, where a post-screening question-and-answer session is planned.
Fire & Ice Media Leads Worldwide Sales
Bilyarista is represented worldwide by Fire & Ice Media, the content production, development, and international sales division of Fire & Ice Entertainment, founded by Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra.
Fire & Ice Media secured worldwide sales rights to Bilyarista during the 2026 Cannes Marché du Film, adding the feature to its international sales catalogue alongside Filipino titles such as Open Endings, Crosspoint, and The Hearing.
The film’s North American premiere at Newport Beach provides another opportunity to introduce the project to international audiences as Fire & Ice Media continues its worldwide distribution and sales efforts.
The company is actively engaged in bringing Philippine and Southeast Asian films to global markets through international sales, co-production partnerships, and festival and industry-market participation.
For Bilyarista, the California screenings offer an opportunity to connect with both international moviegoers and Filipino-American audiences through a distinctly Filipino sports story with wider themes of resilience, ambition, and self-determination.
North American Premiere at Newport Beach
The 27th Newport Beach Film Festival will present two screenings of Bilyarista at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, California.
Friday, October 16, 2026 — 8:15 PM
North American Premiere
Triangle Square, Screen 1
Monday, October 19, 2026 — 5:00 PM
Encore Screening
Triangle Square, Screen 3
Venue: Triangle Square, 1870 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Director Phil Giordano and actor John Arcilla are expected to be in attendance. A post-screening Q&A is also planned.
Tickets are available through the Newport Beach Film Festival’s official website and Eventive ticketing platform.
Festival updates are available through @newportbeachfilmfest and #NBFF2026.
About Fire & Ice Media
Fire & Ice Media is the content production, development, and international sales division of Fire & Ice Entertainment. Working across auteur-driven cinema, genre-forward storytelling, and culturally resonant socially driven work, Media develops, produces, co-produces, and represents films, series, documentaries, and digital IP across global markets.
Website: www.fireandice.ph/media
Media inquiries: mediadesk@fireandice.ph
Worldwide sales inquiries: sales@fireandice.ph