I'mPerfect

❧

Wikipedia

I'mPerfect
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySigrid Andrea Bernardo
Written bySigrid Andrea Bernardo
Produced by
Starring
  • Earl Amaba
  • Krystel Go
CinematographyBoy Yñiguez
Edited byMaryo Ignacio
Music byLen Calvo
Production
company
Nathan Studios
Release date
  • December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time
131 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

I'mPerfect, sometimes written as I'm Perfect, is a 2025 Philippine romance film written and directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo. The film revolves around the romantic relationship of two adults with Down syndrome.[1] Starring Krystel Go and Earl Amaba, who have Down syndrome themselves, in the lead roles, it features a supporting cast including Sylvia Sanchez, Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, Lorna Tolentino (who also served as a producer), Tonton Gutierrez, and Zaijian Jaranilla.

Produced by Nathan Studios, the film released theatrically on December 25, 2025, as one of the entries at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.

Cast

Main cast

  • Earl Amaba as Jiro[2]
  • Krystel Go as Jessica[2]

Supporting cast

Both of the lead actors, Go and Amaba, have Down syndrome and are playing characters with Down syndrome.[1][3]

Mendoza, who also has Down syndrome, was originally cast in the lead role, as Jessica, in the 2017 trailer. After the unforeseen death of the original lead actor playing Jiro, Mendoza was recast under a different role in the movie.[4]

Production

I'mPerfect was directed by Sigrid Bernardo under Nathan Studios.[5] The story features romance between two people with Down Syndrome.[6] Bernardo started first thought of the story back in 2009, when she was still starting her career as a filmmaker. She immersed with people with Down syndrome as a director of a fashion show. Bernardo late wrote the script for ImPerfect in 2014.[7]

Her team won a competition hosted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines enabling Bernardo to produce a teaser to pitch to producers.[7] The teaser video for an earlier version for I'mPerfect released in 2017 under VYAC Productions.[8][9] Andie Cruz as Jiro and Bea Angela Mendoza portrayed the roles of Jiro and Jessica in the trailer.[10] Bernardo claimed that a lot of producers liked the concept for the film but none committed to funding it.[7]

The story for I'mPerfect was completed in 2018. Its production was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Nathan Studios adopted the project in 2024.[11] Audition process for the film lasted from October to December 2024 with the selected actors undergoing a three-month workshop before principal photography began.[5][11] Filming was conducted in various locations in Mindanao, including Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and Claveria, Misamis Oriental.[12]

The production team coordinated with Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Best Buddies Philippines, and the Special Olympics Pilipinas in an effort to be able to depict people with Down syndrome accurately.[13]

Release

I'mPerfect was released on December 25 in cinemas in the Philippines as one of the official eight entries of the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.[5]

Accolades

Accolades received by I'mPerfect
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2025 Metro Manila Film Festival December 27, 2025 Best Picture I'mPerfect Won [14]
Best Director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo Nominated
Best Actor Earl Amaba
Best Actress Krystel Go Won
Best Supporting Actor Joey Marquez Nominated
Zaijian Jaranilla
Best Supporting Actress Janice de Belen
Sylvia Sanchez
Best Screenplay Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
Best Editing Marya Ignacio
Best Sound Mark Locsin
Best Visual Effects Mylav Infante
Best Float I'mPerfect
Best Ensemble Won

References

  1. 1 2 Uson, Melanie (October 11, 2025). "'Bar Boys' sequel, 'Love You So Bad,' and other final MMFF entries announced". Philstar Life. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Payo, Jasmine (October 10, 2025). "Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 unveils 4 new entries". Rappler. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  3. ↑ Fernando, Jefferson (October 11, 2025). "The 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival lineup". Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Mendoza, Ruel (October 31, 2025). "Matthew Mendoza's daughter Bea to make screen debut at MMFF 2025". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Will, Dustin, at Klarisse naka-score ng tigdadalawang entries sa MMFF 2025" [Will, Dustin, and Klarisse scored two entries each at the MMFF 2025]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Actors with Down Syndrome to lead 2025 MMFF Film, draws online praise". Cebu Daily News. November 17, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Turned down by producers, 'I'mPerfect' is now MMFF best picture". ABS-CBN News. December 28, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  8. ↑ Dacanay, Aimee. "Watch: This adorable new indie film will tug at your heartstrings". Spot.ph. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  9. ↑ Web, Admin (January 24, 2017). "Yasu And Bea Tanaka's "Terbalik" Shortlisted for Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) 2017". Finas. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ "I'mPerfect is a special love story of two special people". ImPerfect movie. February 7, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2025 – via Facebook.
  11. 1 2 Policarpio, Allan (November 2, 2025). "'I'mPerfect' spotlights romance of people with Down syndrome". Lifestyle.INQ. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ Fernando, Jefferson (December 15, 2025). "I'mPerfect redefines love and representation in MMFF 2025". Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  13. ↑ "I'mPerfect, naka-focus ang promo sa mga bida na may Down syndrome" [I'mPerfect's promo is focused on the protagonists with Down syndrome]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  14. ↑ Requintina, Robert (December 27, 2025). "2025 Metro Manila Film Festival: List of winners at Gabi ng Parangal". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 28, 2025.