The Road to Sydney
Directed by Benito Bautista
Documentary | 100 Minutes | English, Tagalog with English subtitles when other languages spoken | East Coast Premiere
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 12:00PM EDT
- Emerson Paramount Center
- Followed by Q&A with Director
The Road to Sydney follows Philippine dance master and choreographer Sydney Loyola, who found refuge in dance after a childhood of bullying in Palawan. Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sydney faces the painful realities of job loss and eviction following her gender transition and affirmation. Through courage and artistry, she embarks on a journey of healing, identity, and reconciliation with her estranged father.
Content Warning: 16+ Reference to Abuse and Sexual Trauma
Director’s Bio – Benito Bautista
Benito Bautista is a San Diego based Filipino filmmaker drawn to stories rooted in his community and the social issues that shape their lives. His work often highlights overlooked voices and cultural traditions, as seen in Harana: The Search for the Lost Art of Serenade, which won the Gawad Urian Award (Filipino Film Critics Award) for Best Documentary film, the Asian Network for Documentary Award at the Busan International Film Festival, and Audience Awards, including at CAAMFest and the Hawaii International Film Festival. His feature narrative BOUNDARY, which explores themes of corruption and socio-economic inequality, was honored with the NETPAC Award at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
Sheesh: A Taylor Love Story
PRECEDES THE ROAD TO SYDNEY
Directed by Ramona S. Diaz
Documentary | 16 Minutes | English and Tagalog | Boston Premiere
In a country where drag is both art and survival, a Filipino impersonator named Taylor Sheesh turns Taylor Swift fandom into a movement of joy, belonging, self-expression, and empowerment — revealing the power of queer performance to make people feel seen, beautiful, and free in a region still fighting for equality.
Director’s Bio – Ramona S. Diaz
Ramona S. Diaz is a Peabody, Gotham, IDA, Emmy award-winning, Gawad Urian (Philippine Critics), PGA and Independent Spirit award-nominated Filipino American filmmaker. Her films have been screened and won awards at Sundance, Berlin, Busan, Tribeca, SXSW, IDFA, HotDocs, and other top-tier film festivals. Ramona’s independently produced films—IMELDA (2004), The Learning (2011), Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey (2012), Motherland (2017), and A Thousand Cuts (2020)—have been nationally broadcast on PBS, Arte, and the BBC, amongst others. In 2023, A Thousand Cuts was honored at the 2023 Ani ng Dangal ceremony held in Malacañang Palace in the Philippines. Her latest film, And So It Begins, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was recently selected as the Philippines’ entry to the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.