Rotterdam’s ‘First Light’ Director James J. Robinson on Faith, Doubt and Decolonization, Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

Cristiana Gigina

Filipino-Australian director James J. Robinson is bringing his debut feature “ First Light ” to the International Film Festival Rotterdam , where the drama explores the intersection of faith, colonialism and institutional corruption through the story of an elderly nun confronting moral questions in the Philippines. Variety is exclusively unveiling a clip from the film. The film, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival, stars Ruby Ruiz as Sister Yolanda , a