MANILA -- Kapamilya star Janella Salvador is delighted that their sapphic film "Open Endings" is getting a nationwide release in June, calling it a "big step" towards the push for queer media in the mainstream.
"Open Endings" was the top box office performer in last year's Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. In the movie, Salvador stars alongside Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda, and Leanne Mamonong to tell the story of four queer women, who are exes-turned-best friends.
READ: Cinemalaya box office hit 'Open Endings' set for nationwide release on June 10
"I'm just really happy na more people will be able to watch our film," Salvador told ABS-CBN News on Monday, after CreaZion Studios announced their nationwide release starting June 10. "Kasi nabalitaan namin na maraming hindi nakapanood last time, kasi nga limited lang 'yung tickets, tapos sold out."
"So happy ako na mabibigyan kami ng chance ulit and hopefully 'yung mga hindi nakapanood last time, ma-watch nila," she added.
After last year's Cinemalaya, "Open Endings" was also screened at the 2025 QCinema International Film Festival in November. It made its international premiere at Wicked Queer, Boston's LGBTQIA+ Film Festival on April 6, and will be screened at the Queer East Festival in London on May 23.
But bringing their film to different parts of the Philippines gives a different sense of fulfillment to the cast, who are all vocal advocates for more queer -- and in particular, sapphic -- media on mainstream platforms.
READ: Stars of 'Open Endings' advocate for more queer projects after Cinemalaya success
"It's a big win to have it in a wider release for a wider audience," noted Curtis-Smith.
"Since I'm from Iloilo, I'm not sure yet, but I'm thinking it would be cool if I can also be there while it's showing there, so I can watch it with my friends," said Mamonong, for her part. "They've been clamoring for that -- I'm sure not just in Iloilo but other regions as well."
"Open Endings" will not be the first "girls love" movie to get a nationwide release in 2026. Brillante Mendoza's "Until She Remembers," which featured a queer love story, premiered in February. In April, Rhian Ramos and Glaiza de Castro's much-anticipated reunion film, "I Fell, It's Fine," finally premiered and ran in cinemas for several weeks.
READ: Here's why Charo Santos said yes to her first-ever queer role in ‘Until She Remembers’
"It goes to show na may audience talaga," said Pineda of the success of "I Fell, It's Fine." "May mga nanonood talaga at sabik talaga 'yung mga tao dito sa Pinas na makapanood ng mga sapphic films."
"It's something that we could only hope for -- not just for our film but for sapphic cinema in general," added Salvador. "Big step na nga 'to, na nakarating tayo dito, na meron kaming pwesto sa mainstream cinema. Everyone has a chance to watch it."
"We can only hope that it does really well, just like 'I Fell, It's Fine.' Hopefully hindi lang dito. Malay natin sa iba pang mga countries, makaabot tayo. So, we're really just happy and excited to be here, to finally have a platform," she added.
![The cast of "Open Endings," [L-R] Leanne Mamonong, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Janella Salvador, and Klea Pineda during the Cine Expo 2026 at Quezon City, May 11, 2026. Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778567184517IMG_3171.JPG)
The cast of "Open Endings," [L-R] Leanne Mamonong, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Janella Salvador, and Klea Pineda during the Cine Expo 2026 at Quezon City, May 11, 2026. Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
"Open Endings" is also set to stream on Prime Video sometime this year, but its stars say nothing can compare to watching the film on the big screen.
"Iba 'yung feeling kapag sa sinehan mo siya pinanood na ang dami mong kasamang katomboyan, makikita mo 'yung energy, maf-feel mo 'yung energy," said Pineda.
"Iba pa rin ang going to the cinemas, taking the time, not holding your phone, not being distracted by notifications, your pets, other people needing you for the moment, 'di ba," added Curtis-Smith. "It's one of those experiences talaga na it's irreplaceable."
"Yes, streaming is great, and it's accessible, and it's easy. But iba pa rin 'yung intentional kang nanood ng walang distractions," she added.
"Open Endings" will be shown nationwide starting on June 10.