‘Ina’ introduces Filipino food and culture to Cannes

The Filipino-Australian show premiered at the prestigious Canneseires. 

Rachel Maxine Anderson’s Filipino-Australian series “Ina” premiered at the Canneseries in France this April, bringing Filipino culture—particularly food—to the global stage.

Known as one of the world’s premier festivals dedicated to television and digital series, Canneseries gathers standout productions from across the globe, making it a major platform for both emerging and established storytellers. This year’s event ran from April 24 to 29 in Cannes.

The series follows a high-pressure cooking program shoot gone sideways, where a last-minute replacement chef turns out to be more than just help behind the scenes. Gloria, the Filipino cleaner, is not just a substitute but the estranged mother of the show’s producer, Madeline. What unfolds is a deeply personal story about identity, family, and the cultural tensions that come with being caught between worlds.

Also written by Anderson, “Ina” stars Lena Cruz (“In Limbo,” “Wellmania,” “The Unusual Suspects”) and introduces Triona Calimbayan-Giles, with acclaimed Filipino actress Ruby Ruiz (“Expats,” “First Light”) serving as executive producer. It is produced by Limina Pictures and Contra Stories.