Philippine Trans Drama ‘Dreamboi’ Set for Frameline 50th Anniversary Screening
SAN FRANCISCO — Rodina Singh’s erotic psychological drama DREAMBOI, produced by CineSilip Film Festival and VMX, will make its U.S. premiere at the 50th Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival on June 23, 2026, at the Roxie Theater. The film centers on a trans woman who finds refuge from everyday transphobia in the voice of an audio erotica creator. Starring EJ Jallorina and Tony Labrusca, DREAMBOI premiered at the inaugural CineSilip Film Festival in October 2025, a showcase dedicated to adult-rated Filipino films.
The project initially received an X rating from the Philippines’ Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Following two appeals, the rating was revised to R-18, clearing the way for a local theatrical release.
Directed by trans filmmaker Singh, known for 2018’s Mamu: And a Mother Too, the film marks a rare Filipino trans-led narrative to secure a slot at a major international LGBTQ+ festival. Frameline, the longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the world, has championed queer and trans cinema since 1977.
“Frameline is one of the oldest and most important LGBTQ+ film festivals in the world — and this year, our strange, intimate, trans Filipino fever dream gets to be a part of it,” Singh said in a statement. “As a transpinay filmmaker, I grew up seeing trans people onscreen mostly as jokes, warnings, side characters, or tragedies. So much of my work has been trying to imagine us differently. Now Dreamboi gets to bring that trans imagination to Frameline’s historic 50th year.”
DREAMBOI’s selection underscores Frameline’s ongoing mission to “change the world through the power of queer media” as the festival marks its 50th anniversary.
VMX’s ‘Relyebo’ to Receive Japanese Remake Through Historic Partnership with Okura Pictures
Ever since the streaming platform became accessible in various parts of the world, VMX (formerly Vivamax) has steadily built a strong global reputation. Its international reach has made its content more reachable to audiences in non-English-speaking countries while also bringing greater recognition to its talents in prestigious award-giving bodies worldwide. This 2026 VMX aims to take things a step further through its collaboration with Okura Pictures for the production of the first-ever overseas adaptation of one of its original titles.
Okura Pictures, also known as OP Eiga or Okura Eiga, is recognized as one of Japan’s largest and oldest independent studios, producing and distributing “pink films,” a genre of movies that incorporates sexual content into its storytelling. Throughout its long history in the industry, the studio has exclusively produced original screenplays. With VMX similarly known for films that feature daring and provocative narratives, the collaboration marks a fitting partnership between two companies embarking on a first-of-its-kind venture.
The film selected for adaptation, RELYEBO (The Reliever), is a 2022 erotic drama written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Crisanto Aquino and starring multi-awarded actor Sean de Guzman and 2023 Most Promising Film Actress of the Year awardee Christine Bermas. The original film tells the cautionary tale of a married security guard who allows his sexual fantasies to spiral after becoming infatuated with an alluring tenant in the building he watches over. The Japanese remake will largely follow the same story structure, with some details adapted to better reflect Japanese culture.
Aquino, who earned recognition from both the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Osaka Asian Film Festival for his direction of 2020’s Write About Love, expressed his excitement about what this partnership could contribute to the reputation of modern Philippine cinema. “I see this as an honor as well as a win for Philippine Cinema. Not many Filipino films get to be the source material for a remake,” said the acclaimed director. Bermas, who was also nominated for her performance in Relyebo at the 39th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies in 2024, is currently in talks to make a cameo appearance in the Japanese adaptation.
For everyone involved, the partnership between VMX and Okura Pictures promises to be a fruitful endeavor. Vincent del Rosario III, Chief Executive Officer of Viva Communications Inc., expressed his hope that this collaboration marks the beginning of even greater opportunities for VMX on the international stage.
“With the realization of this project, we hope to open the door to similar collaborations with other countries in the future. We believe this adaptation highlights the universal appeal of our original stories, and we look forward to the possibility of seeing more VMX titles reimagined for audiences around the world,” said Mr. Del Rosario.
Nobu Tanaka, Executive Vice President of Okura Pictures, also sees this project as a momentous occasion for the company. “Partnering with Viva Communications is a massive milestone for Okura Pictures,” said Tanaka. “As one of the most powerful and enduring titans in the entertainment industry in Asia, they bring decades of blockbuster experience and a massive distribution network to the table.”
With production slated to begin this September 2026, the partnership ushers in a new chapter that elevates VMX’s global presence to even greater heights.
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