A nun encounters a lethal criminal conspiracy and begins to question her beliefs in this poetic, sensory meditation on faith, power and corruption. Filipino-Australian photographer James J Robinson’s debut feature is a masterfully composed slow-burn crime drama. You won’t be able to look away.
Sister Yolanda, played by Filipina acting legend Ruby Ruiz, has spent her life as a servant to God and the people in her community. Working as a nurse at the local hospital and living at an old convent in the mountains of the Philippines, Yolanda’s grace and selflessness make her a quiet but valued figure in her town. When she is called to perform last rites on a young construction worker on his deathbed, things are suddenly not so simple. She soon realises this death may have more sinister and far-reaching implications – and that high-ranking figures are determined to stop her, or anyone else, from finding out the truth. Swept up in the lives of the people around her, including a young novice nun Sister Arlene, the affluent Linda Dela Cruz and the father of the construction worker, she starts to wonder if she’s spent her life dutiful to the wrong thing.
Part slow-burning crime drama, part embedded portrait of everyday life and part tender study of a convent struggling to survive in a country at once devoutly religious and whose institutions are profoundly corrupt, First Light is a captivating blend of Filipino and Australian creativity. With masterfully composed images shot in a stunning mountainous landscape in northern Luzon and with stellar performances, this a thought-provoking interrogation of mortality, faith and self-discovery.
Getting Here and Getting In:
Parking at UWA is free after 5pm. We recommend car parks 1 and 5: check this map.
Allow time for parking: UWA hosts many events and sometimes it takes a little longer to find a space.
Doors open at 6pm. In 2026 the box office will be cashless.
Food and Drink
The pay-bar offers wines, beers, soft and hot drinks, along with chips, chocolate and, importantly, ice creams!
The Somerville Auditorium is also a BYO venue: bring your own picnic and favourite tipple.
We have many picnic tables and grassed areas.
Pre-ordering your gourmet pizza is crucial: order here.
Enjoying your film
The film starts at 8pm until 1 March 2026. From 2 March 2026 the film starts at 7.30pm.
Cushions courtesy of Lotterywest are available.
Seats are not assigned: on your arrival you can reserve a seat with a rug or cushion. Please don't leave single seat gaps.
We have plenty of seating, please do not bring your own.
There are four locations suitable for wheelchair users - please speak to a staff member on your arrival.
Nights can soemtimes be cool, so please rug up.
We treat the Auditorium for mosquitoes, but still bring your preferred mozzie spray.
Lost Property
If you've lost something during your night out, you can report it here.
Visit Perth Festival's website for more information.