Miguel Regal on NNC: Ambition, Truth, and the Decisions That Shape Society

When audiences think of media revolutions, they often focus on the public consequences—the headlines, the elections, the cultural shifts. Rarely do they consider the private boardroom conversations that precede them. In NNC, Filipino filmmaker Miguel Regal takes viewers behind closed doors to explore precisely those moments: the difficult decisions, conflicting principles, and corporate struggles that can ultimately influence the trajectory of an entire society.

Set over the course of a single day, NNC follows Stephanie Serrano, Chief Brand Officer of a struggling television network, as she confronts the harsh realities of declining revenues, the loss of a major sponsor, and an uncertain future. As she pushes for transparency and reform, she finds herself locked in a battle between ambition and truth, a conflict that mirrors larger changes that transformed the Philippine media landscape during the rise of social media in the mid-2010s.

Drawing from his experience in corporate law, Regal brings an insider’s perspective to a world rarely depicted on screen. The film has already attracted international recognition, earning selections and awards including Sydney World Film Festival, Red Movie Awards (2026 Spring Edition Finalist), Prisma Awards (Monthly Pick), and multiple honors at the Beyond Border International Film Festival, including Winner for Original Story. It also received Best Drama Short Film at the Southeast Academy Film Festival in January 2026.

For Final Cut Magazine, Regal discusses his transition from law to filmmaking, the realities of producing a debut film, and why stories about power are ultimately stories about people.

Miguel, NNC examines the consequences of decisions made behind corporate doors. What inspired you to tell this particular story?

"NNC" is my humble attempt at explaining one of the main causes behind the social media paradigm shift that significantly affected the socio-political environment of the Philippines during the mid-2010s. The repercussions of that shift are still prevalent today and are felt by Filipinos from all walks of life.

The story is also inspired by my experience working in corporate law. Most of us see companies as enormous entities that exert significant influence over society. However, corporations are ultimately made up of individuals with different beliefs, principles, and convictions.

I wanted to explore the internal struggles that are rarely disclosed to the public and usually occur only within the four walls of boardrooms. Essentially, the film presents a conflict between two ideas: ambition and truth.

One of the film’s strengths is its sense of urgency. Why did you choose to tell the story within the confines of a single day?

I wanted to make a film that tells the story of events that transpired in just one day. I wanted to emphasize that sometimes decisions made in a single day by a handful of individuals can affect the future of society at large.

Coming from a legal background, did your professional experience help shape the authenticity of the boardroom dynamics?

Absolutely. My years in law exposed me to professional environments where important decisions are debated, challenged, and ultimately decided by a relatively small group of people.

That experience made me realize how much conflict can exist beneath the surface. What appears to be a simple corporate decision often involves competing values, personal ambitions, and ethical considerations.

Every production faces obstacles. What were the biggest challenges in bringing NNC to life?

The biggest challenges we encountered were finding the right location and assembling the cast.

I had a difficult time finding office spaces that matched what I initially envisioned while writing the screenplay. Fortunately, we were able to shoot in an actual office in Makati City, one of the major business districts in Metro Manila.

Casting was equally important. I spent a lot of time selecting actors because I needed performers who could convey the gravitas of the characters and the intensity of several key scenes. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to work with excellent actors, and I think their performances speak for themselves.

This was your first major project after film school. Looking back, what are you most proud of?

Honestly, just being able to make and finish the film.

I consider this my debut project outside of film school. I genuinely enjoyed every stage of the process—from writing the screenplay all the way through post-production.

I learned an enormous amount along the way, and considering everything involved, I’m very proud of what we achieved.

You stepped away from law to study filmmaking. How did cinema become such an important part of your life?

I have always been fascinated by filmmaking.

When I was young, my parents introduced me to a wide range of films, and over time I became a passionate movie fan. So when I had the opportunity to attend film school, I immediately took a break from legal practice and spent a year and a half studying the craft.

It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What are you working on now, and what are your long-term goals as a filmmaker?

At the moment, I’m helping a friend who is making a short film. He is based in Toronto, but some scenes will be shot in Manila, and I’ll be directing the Manila unit.

As for my own future projects, my next major goal is to direct a feature-length film. Fingers crossed.

Your film has already enjoyed a successful festival run. What role do festivals play for emerging filmmakers?

Film festivals play a massive role in discovering and introducing new filmmakers from around the world.

They help market films that might otherwise go unnoticed by major studios, and they provide opportunities for artists to break into the industry.

For emerging filmmakers especially, festivals remain incredibly valuable.

What advice would you give to filmmakers navigating the festival circuit for the first time?

First, don’t be discouraged if your film is rejected. Rejection is simply part of the process. Keep going.

Second, do your due diligence. Not all festivals are the same. Understand the identity of your film and try to submit it to festivals that are a good match for your work.

How do you see cinema evolving in the coming years?

Film will continue to evolve. It will take on new forms and appear across different platforms.

We’ll also experience stories in new ways through technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence. But at the end of the day, film will never die because storytelling will always be part of humanity.

If you had to name the filmmakers who shaped your love of cinema, who would make your personal Mount Rushmore?

That’s a tough question, but I would choose four directors:

Peter Jackson — As a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, I admire his dedication and passion in completing both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Steven Spielberg — I’m a huge admirer of his range. The fact that Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List were released in the same year remains astonishing.

Quentin Tarantino — One of the greatest writer-directors in cinema history.

Christopher Nolan — I admire the style and aesthetic of his films. He is one of the reasons I decided to study filmmaking.

Is there a recent film that particularly impressed you?

Recently, I really enjoyed Obsession.

I’ve always loved horror films, but this movie felt unique and cleverly written. There were moments when I found myself laughing out loud in the middle of scenes filled with terror and unease.

The comedic beats blended seamlessly into the horror, and the cast was fantastic, especially Inde Navarrette.

Final Cut: Why NNC Matters

What struck me most about NNC is that it tackles a subject many filmmakers would avoid: the drama of decision-making itself. There are no explosions, no murders, no grand spectacles. Instead, Miguel Regal focuses on conversations, disagreements, spreadsheets, principles, and the uncomfortable realization that history can sometimes be altered by a handful of people sitting around a conference table.

That may sound modest, but it is precisely what makes the film relevant within contemporary independent cinema. We often discuss power as if it exists independently of people. NNC reminds us that institutions are human creations, shaped by individual choices, compromises, fears, and ambitions.

The film also reflects a broader reality of our digital age. The collapse of traditional media, the rise of new platforms, and the transformation of public discourse did not happen by accident. They were the result of countless decisions made behind closed doors, often by people struggling to balance economic survival with ethical responsibility.

Independent cinema thrives when it examines the systems that quietly shape our lives, and NNC does exactly that. It transforms corporate uncertainty into human drama and reveals that the battle between ambition and truth is not confined to boardrooms—it is one of the defining struggles of our time.