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First Comes Love film image; woman and man clasping hands

First Comes Love: Nakabingwit

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World Premiere

With moments of levity and plenty of heart, this vibrant hybrid documentary follows women in the Filipino diaspora as they search for the language to discuss race with their white romantic partners. In Montreal, Veronica and Mathilde resolve their differences of opinion about ADHD lifestyle habits and Duterte’s war on drugs. In Vancouver, Rhea encourages her partner Eric to speak with their mixed-race children about embracing their culture and natural beauty. And in Toronto, Justine talks with her British partner Dominic about recognizing white privilege and racist encounters.

Couched in a rom-com-inspired narrative framing, filmmaker Joella Cabalu (It Runs in the Family) complements intimate interviews with reenactments of scenes from her own love life: her “meet cute” with her partner Luka and a poignant moment of disconnect in the early pandemic, among others. Full of engaging insights into social difference and love, First Comes Love: Nakabingwit is a must-watch for anyone seeking to hone their communication skills in relationships.

 

Oct 3, 7 & 10: Filmmaker Q&A

 

Presented by

Knowledge Network logo       Telefilm logo

Media Partner

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Community Partner

Director
Featuring

Veronica Bertiz, Mathilde Saint-Marie, Rhea Paez, Eric Lotto, Justine Abigail Yu, Dominic Pollard

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2026

Language

English

Film Contact
18+
65 min
BC Spotlight Comedy Documentary Romance Women Directors
National Film Board of Canada

Book Tickets

Wednesday October 07

1:30 pm
Closed Captioning Descriptive Video Guests/Q&As Hearing Assistance
International Village 10
Book Now

Saturday October 10

3:45 pm
Guests/Q&As Hearing Assistance
Alliance Francaise

Credits & Director

Executive Producer

Shirley Vercruysse, Tina Ouellette

Producer

Teri Snelgrove

Screenwriter

Joella Cabalu

Cinematography

Peter Planta

Editor

Sarah Hedar

Production Design

Rosaura Lezama

Original Music

Mary Ancheta

Joella Cabalu headshot

Joella Cabalu

Joella Cabalu is a Filipino Canadian filmmaker whose documentaries examine intimacies, identities, and relationships with wit, care, and emotional precision. Her award-winning work brings playfulness and nuance to complex social dynamics. In First Comes Love: Nakabingwit (2026), her first feature as writer-director, Cabalu reshapes the rom-com into a contemporary documentary about interracial relationships, communication, and the courage it takes to truly see one another.

Filmography: It Runs in the Family (2016)

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