FESTIVAL SELECTIONS
OFFICIAL SELECTION 'WORLD PREMIERE'
PROJECT STATUS : COMPLETED, FESTIVAL RUN
LOGLINE
Aya, living in the slums of Manila, dreams of becoming a billiards World Champion, but when her father is killed, she is manipulated by Itoy, her hustler uncle, into playing in dangerous underground gambling matches in back-alley pool halls.
DIRECTOR
PRODUCERS
SHREYOM GHOSH
GALE OSORIO
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
ARCADIO IVAN A. SANTOS III
TECH SPECS
Film Type : Feature Film
Total Runtime : 90 minutes
Camera Specs : Sony Venice 2 / Arri Master Anamorphic Lenses
Completion : 2025
Country of Production : Philippines
Language : Tagalog
Genre : Coming of age, Sports, Drama
Starring
JOHN ARCILLA
LEAD ACTOR
John Arcilla is best known for his role as Antonio Luna in the historical drama HENERAL LUNA (2015) which became the highest grossing historical film ever in the Philippines. He won the Volpi Cup – “Best Actor” award at the 78th Venice Film Festival (2021) for his movie ON THE JOB: THE MISSING 8 (2021). Arcilla has won or been nominated for over 30 acting awards, both locally and internationally, including Best Actor at the FAP Awards, British Independent Awards, FAMAS, Gawad Urian, MMFF, Star Awards, and many others.
LOISA ANDALIO
LEAD ACTRESS
Loisa Andalio is a talented Filipino actress and singer who gained prominence as a housemate on the reality television show PINOY BIG BROTHER: ALL IN in 2014. Born on April 21, 1999, in Parañaque, Philippines, she has since built a successful career in the entertainment industry. Known for her versatility and charm, Loisa has starred in acclaimed television dramas such as LOVE IN 40 DAYS (2022) and PIRA-PIRASONG PARAISO (2023) amongst others She captivated audiences with her natural acting skills and charismatic presence in feature films such as JAMES AND PAT AND DAVE (2020), Mikhail Red’s FRIENDLY FIRE (2024) and EX EX LOVERS (2025). Beyond acting, she has also ventured into music, showcasing her vocal talents. Loisa remains a beloved figure in Philippine showbiz, admired for her dedication and passion for her craft.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
PHIL GIORDANO
WRITER & DIRECTOR - BILYARISTA
Phil Giordano is an Italian-American writer & director originally from New York. He earned his Master’s Degree from New York University Tisch School of the Arts where he graduated at the top of his class and won the Wasserman Award. Phil is also the recipient of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Award (Golden Globes) for his short film, SUPOT (2016), starring John Arcilla. SUPOT had its World Premiere at the Busan International Film Festival and screened at several Oscar Qualifying festivals. Phil also won several Advertising Awards including an Effie for his wildly popular KFC ‘sorry not sorry’ campaign. He has directed commercials all over Asia and America for clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Porsche, Universal Music, VICE, and Dolce & Gabbana. His first feature film PUSOY (2022) was Produced by Brillante Mendoza (winner Best Director Cannes 08’) and starred Baron Geisler.
FILMOGRAPHY : Bilyarista (2025), Lawa (2023), Pusoy (2022), Pabuya (2022), Supot (2016)
PRODUCERS
SHREYOM GHOSH
PRODUCER - BILYARISTA
Shreyom Ghosh is a director and producer, based in Hong Kong after finishing a MFA from NYU-Tisch School of the Arts. He co-wrote and directed the series BHAK (2018), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Rhode Island International Film Festival (2018) for it’s pilot, won the HOOQ Filmmaker’s Guild (2018) & 3 awards at the Asian Academy Creative Awards(2019). His last short film VEGETABLE RISING (2022) was shot in India and France. He serves as a producer on director Phil Giordano’s BILYARISTA (2025) which is set for it’s World Premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India. His upcoming directorial debut feature project in advanced development – THE VAMPIRE OF SHEUNG SHUI found recognition through selections at prestigious international incubators such as HAF (Hong Kong), BIFAN (South Korea), Sitges (Spain), Filmbazaar (India), BIFFF (Belgium), TIFF x Gold House’s Gold Pitch (Canada) and Tasveer Project Market (USA).
GALE OSORIO
PRODUCER - BILYARISTA
Film producer Gale Osorio is an alumni of Berlinale Talents, Busan Asian Film school, and TFL ScriptLab Story Editing. Gale is known for her close collaboration with Director Keith Deligero and produced his films ISKALAWAGS (2013), LILY (2016), A SHORT HISTORY OF A FEW BAD THINGS (2018), and short film BABYLON (2017), which was acquired by ZDF Arte for French and German TV release. Her short IT’S RAINING FROGS OUTSIDE (2021) premiered in Berlinale International Film Festival and has been programmed in over 50 film festivals worldwide, including MoMA New Directors/New Films, Sundance Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and AFI Fest to name a few.
With a strong focus on Philippine regional cinema and nurturing emerging talents into bold film auteurs, Gale has presented her films at Link of Cine-Asia, All Genres Project Market, Torino Short Film Market, Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum, BIFAN NAFF It Project Market, FNC Nouveau Marche, Sitges Fanpitch, Docs By The Sea, Taiwan Creative Content Fest, and others.
CREDITS
Writer & Director : PHIL GIORDANO
Executive Producer : ARCADIO IVAN A. SANTOS III
Producers: SHREYOM GHOSH, GALE OSORIO
Director of Photography: ADAM MCDAID
Production Designer: STEPHEN VAN ZOTOMAYOR
Editor: LAWRENCE ANG
Sound Designer: GAB MAGLUYAN
Music Composer: LORENZO CAMANGAN
Cast: JOHN ARCILLA, LOISA ANDALIO, ASHANTI NICOLE VILORIA, NIÑO MUHLACH, DANI PORTER
Featuring: EFREN ‘BATA’ REYES, FRANCISCO ‘DJANGO’ BUSTAMANTE
LET'S COLLABORATE!
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