Another milestone in Paul Soriano’s growing international film career unfolded at the Cannes Film Festival, where the Filipino filmmaker joined the producing team behind “Diamond,” the Hollywood feature written and directed by actor-filmmaker Andy Garcia.
Premiering out of competition at Cannes, “Diamond” is a contemporary noir set in Los Angeles that follows private investigator Joe Diamond, a man haunted by his past who uses his instincts and wit to solve crimes others cannot. Garcia both wrote and starred in the film.
“Diamond” received a warm reception during its Cannes screening, including a standing ovation, while photos from the event circulated online and drew reactions from Filipinos celebrating Soriano’s participation in the project.
Known for his work in Philippine film and television, Soriano’s involvement in “Diamond” reflects the growing participation of Filipino creatives in international productions.
He directed the Filipino films “Thelma” and “Kid Kulafu,” and also served as producer on “Magellan” by Lav Diaz, which starred Gael García Bernal.
The Cannes premiere of “Diamond” likewise marked Soriano’s second consecutive year presenting a film at the festival following the screening of “Magellan” at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
In an interview with the Asian Journal, Soriano shared how he became involved in the project.
“My business partner, Simon Heo, introduced me to Andy Garcia. I read Andy’s script ‘Diamond,’ and I immediately fell in love with the story,” Soriano said.
“Andy and I later played golf, during which time we really got to know each other — his passion for ‘Diamond,’ his love for cinema, and life in general,” he added.
Garcia also acknowledged Soriano’s support in helping bring the independently mounted film to completion, underscoring the creative partnership formed during production.
For many in the local film industry, the Cannes premiere served as another example of Filipino storytellers gaining visibility on the international stage.
“Diamond” is written and directed by Garcia, with Soriano serving as one of the film’s producers alongside an international producing team.