Filipina filmmaker Marie Jamora (Queen Sugar, Matlock) has started production on her indie romantic comedy film We Could Be in Love.
Starring in the film are Jasmine Curtis-Smith (The Time That Remains, Open Endings), yao (Sinners, Gold Mountain), Jamie Chung (Copperhead, Dexter: New Blood), Lou Diamond Phillips (Gangland), Tamlyn Tomita (Karate Kid Part II and The Joy Luck Club), and Airline Inthyrath (aka multi-hyphenate drag persona, Jujubee; RuPaul’s Drag Race) principal photography will commence in November on location in New York and Manila, Philippines.
From a screenplay written by Terence Chen (Meet Cute in Manhattan), We Could Be In Love follows Jasmine Aquino (Curtis-Smith), a grounded, working-class Filipina American woman who finds herself falling for Ambrose Lee (yao), the wealthy heir to a prominent Chinese-Filipino dynasty. As their relationship deepens, the pair are forced to navigate complex class divides, colorism, and the unspoken prejudices that shape love, identity, and belonging within the Asian diaspora.
“I grew up in the Philippines watching all the Hollywood rom-coms with my mom,” said director Marie Jamora. “Now that I have the opportunity to direct an Asian-led romantic comedy outside the traditional American studio system, it’s so exciting to lean into the cultural nuance, authenticity, and heart that global audiences are craving. Jasmine and yao bring a special combination of warmth, depth, and chemistry to their characters. I cannot wait to share our film with the world.”
“At its core, We Could Be In Love is a classic, swoon-worthy romance that doesn’t shy away from the real cultural and economic friction points within our communities,” said writer and executive producer Terence Chen. “We are thrilled to be filming in New York and Manila and capturing the vibrant, modern backdrop of these cities.”
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Marie Jamora is a Filipina director whose work spans independent film and television, rooted in stories of identity, family, and cultural connection. Her debut feature, Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There), premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival. She is among the first Filipinos in the Directors Guild of America, and has directed episodes of Queen Sugar, Matlock, Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies, and more. She is also attached to direct the feature film Imprint, a supernatural thriller executive produced by the Hayes Brothers (The Conjuring) and Liza Soberano (Forgotten Island).
In addition to her directing work, Marie is the founder of CINEMA SALA, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating and supporting cinematic and artistic work that expands cultural understanding, focusing on stories from both the Philippines and its global diaspora.
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