Cat&Docs announced Tuesday that it will represent the Dutch‑Filipino documentary ‘We Had a Plan’ for global sales, positioning the film for theatrical, broadcast and streaming deals ahead of its world premiere at IDFA in November.
The 90‑minute feature follows Marco and Luis, a gay couple who spent a decade working as undocumented cleaners in Amsterdam, and captures their emotional return to Manila. A 30‑second trailer released today offers a glimpse of their intimate moments and the challenges of reconciling family expectations with queer identity.
In-Depth Analysis & Key Details
The acquisition reflects a broader appetite among European sales agents for socially resonant documentaries that combine personal storytelling with pressing policy issues, especially as festivals like IDFA serve as key marketplace events.
Compared with recent LGBTQ+ migrant documentaries such as ‘Crossing Borders’ and ‘Silent Shores’, ‘We Had a Plan’ distinguishes itself by focusing on the Filipino diaspora, a demographic that has been under‑represented in mainstream festival circuits, potentially widening its appeal to both niche and mainstream audiences.
"The deal highlights how IDFA continues to function as a launchpad for socially urgent documentaries to secure global distribution."
Why This Matters & What Lies Ahead
By bringing a queer Filipino migrant story to an international stage, the film amplifies the lived realities of a community often invisible in both immigration debates and LGBTQ+ discourse, fostering empathy and policy awareness.
The upcoming IDFA screening will be closely watched by broadcasters and streaming platforms, with potential distribution agreements expected to be announced in the weeks following the festival, shaping the film’s reach across Europe, Asia and North America.
Source: Reported by Variety · Analyzed & Synthesized by DNB Newsroom
