Filipino trans film ‘Dreamboi’ lands int’l premiere at historic SanFo Frameline fest

The film is a win for the Filipino trans community amid lack of legal trans recognition in the PH.

Director Rodina Singh’s trans Filipino film, “Dreamboi,” will have its international premiere at the 50th edition of the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco this June 17 to 27.

The film follows the story of Diwa, played by fellow trans trailblazer EJ Jallorina, exploring her vulnerabilities and audio erotic desires in what Singh describes as an intimate trans Filipino fever dream.

Taking to social media, the transpinay filmmaker shared a reflection on the milestone. She noted that having the film recognized at one of the world’s oldest LGBTQ+ film festivals is a step forward for authentic representation, especially after growing up seeing trans people reduced to jokes, warnings, or tragedies onscreen.

“It survived censorship. It survived fear. It survived doubt,” Singh wrote, dedicating the premiere to queer and trans artists who were made to feel they did not belong in cinema. 

Prior to its international release, “Dreamboi” faced exhibition hurdles in the Philippines, receiving multiple X ratings from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) before finally securing an R-18 clearance.

Following this, Singh recently wrapped filming for the queer horror-romance “Multwoh.” The project stars Sassa Gurl and will serve as an entry to the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026.

 

 

Prior to its international release, ‘Dreamboi’ faced exhibition hurdles in the Philippines, receiving multiple X ratings from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) before finally securing an R-18 clearance.

 

 

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