Over the past few months, we’ve seen a remarkable rise in the public’s interest and demand for local Girls’ Love (GL) stories.
Whether it’s a newly introduced fictional pair or one from previous sapphic shows and films, Filipinos have finally been paying more attention to the female-led queer narratives that’ve shaped our media and pop culture landscapes.
Photo: Wide International Film & Entertainment, Xeline Sta. Ana
Award-winning sapphic movies such as Nigel Santos’s Open Endings and Samantha Lee’s Rookie, for instance, sparked numerous conversations about Filipino GL stories, their societal relevance, and their prominence in our growing spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Similarly, a few Filipina celebrities have expressed their interest in taking on a GL project. Belle Mariano, Barbie Forteza, and Maris Racal, in particular, recently discussed their openness towards portraying sapphic characters down the road of their careers.
As local sapphic movies and shows gradually make their mark on wider audiences, it’s only fair that we help more people realize why they’re worth supporting and investing in. That’s why we’re shining the spotlight on four upcoming Filipino GL projects that are gearing up for their respective releases this year.
These new sapphic stories are ready to showcase every imaginable aspect of love through a diverse range of genres—from light-hearted romantic comedies (rom-com) to dynamic intersections of horror and fantasy. Here’s how each narrative showcases the boundlessness of women’s voices, emotions, and identities:
I Fell, It’s Fine
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We’re starting our list off strong with this upcoming rom-com that highlights healing, self-discovery, and new beginnings. I Fell, It’s Fine follows Anne (Glaiza de Castro), the calm and disciplined owner of a wellness resort, who struggles to start anew after her failed marriage. She then meets Chicks (Rhian Ramos), a free-spirited soul who enters Anne’s life in strangely endearing ways.
I Fell, It’s Fine will premiere on April 4, 2026, in cinemas nationwide. It’s the latest must-watch love story from Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, who also directed I’mPerfect, which won Best Picture at the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
What the Living Do
@theliving.film COMING 2026: a Filipino sapphic romance-horror short film! 👀🎬 “What The Living Do” follows Ysabel, a Filipina folk healer who brings her girlfriend Sylvia back to life, only to find that Sylvia’s body continues to rot in resurrection. This is a thesis short film by Jam Borja, Alexis Tolosa, and rafa cabal, currently in pre-production. We can’t wait to share more details and behind-the-scenes with you! Don’t miss out and follow us here and on instagram, @theliving.film 🍃✨ #WhatTheLivingDo2026 #shortfilm #filipinofilm #wuhluhwuh #lgbtqia
Prepare your tissues, because this tragic love story can melt even the coldest of hearts. What the Living Do is a thesis project by Jam Borja, Alexis Tolosa, and rafa cabal, graduating Film students from the Meridian International (MINT) College. The eerie, soul-crushing tale explores sapphic romance and body horror with a hint of magic.
What the Living Do is about Ysabel (Nour Hooshmand), a folk healer who casts a spell to bring her girlfriend, Sylvia (Aira Caliao), back to life. But things take a turn for the worse when Ysabel’s spell goes wrong, making Sylvia’s body continuously rot despite resurrection. It’s now up to Ysabel to take action before it’s too late. Will she listen to her conscience and set Sylvia free, or hold on to the love of her life even if it harms them both?
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If you want to help bring this project to fruition, you can follow the What the Living Do team on Instagram and TikTok. You’re also welcome to share their new updates and avail their crowdfunding packages while the film is still in production.
The Lovers
The Lovers has been literally making waves on social media for quite a while now, so we couldn’t contain our joy upon discovering that it’ll finally become an adult animated short film by Studio Heartbreak. This intense dark fantasy showcases the palpable tension between a siren and a seafood chef, bound by love despite their contrasting worlds.
The Lovers began as a Kickstarter project in 2023, which gained remarkable traction on social media over the years. Now, it’s set to premiere on YouTube this summer—a full-circle moment for Filipino animators, queer women, and independent creatives altogether.
Balaraw: Blood Island
Supernatural adventures and Filipino folklore take center stage in Rae Red’s Balaraw: Blood Island, an upcoming Netflix original series. It revolves around Sabrina, a young woman who follows mysterious clues to a remote island that harbors dark secrets from her past.
Balaraw: Blood Island stars Janine Gutierrez and Charlie Dizon, who recently gave fans a sneak peek of their characters’ chemistry on the show. We can also anticipate Agot Isidro and other renowned Filipino actors to give life to the series, which premieres this September.
ALSO READ: Wish Us Luck Brings Thai GL and BL Stars to Philippines for Two-Night Fan Event
What are your favorite Filipino Girls’ Love movies and shows? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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