NYWIFT Blog

By Tammy Reese

With more than three decades of experience spanning film, television, theater, and festival leadership across the United States and Asia, Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago has built a remarkable career championing diverse voices and meaningful storytelling. As President of Sitting Cat Productions, Executive Director and Head of Programming for the SOHO International Film Festival, and Board Member for New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for filmmakers and bringing impactful stories to audiences worldwide.

This year, Reymundo-Santiago serves as Consulting Producer on Kaya (ᜃᜌ), a powerful film featured during the 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival. The story follows Nia, a half-Filipina young woman who secretly trains with queer outcast Malic in hopes of joining an elite Filipino Martial Arts team and proving she is “Filipino enough.” Through themes of identity, belonging, cultural connection, and self-acceptance, Kaya explores experiences that resonate far beyond its cultural roots.

In this exclusive conversation with NYWIFT, Reymundo-Santiago discusses her connection to Kaya, the importance of authentic representation in today’s film landscape, the significance of the film’s Tribeca premiere, and how organizations like NYWIFT continue to uplift and empower storytellers across the entertainment industry.

(photo courtesy of Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago)

What initially drew you to Kaya (ᜃᜌ) as Consulting Producer, and why did this story feel important to tell now?

I was originally attached to produce the short film, but due to an unexpected scheduling conflict that prevented me from traveling to Asia for the shoot, I stepped into a Consulting Producer role instead. Before production began, I worked closely with writer/director, Isabel Lamers to help position the project for fundraising and continued to support the film throughout its journey as an advisor and advocate. We are looking to get the feature film made following this.

What drew me to Kaya (ᜃᜌ) was my immediate connection to the story Isabel wanted to tell. As a Filipino-German woman, Isabel brings a deeply personal perspective to questions of identity, belonging, and cultural duality. Her experience resonated with me because many members of my own family come from mixed-race backgrounds and have faced similar challenges—growing up between cultures, navigating expectations from different communities, and often feeling pressured to prove where they belong.

That is what makes this story so meaningful. At its core, Kaya is about identity, acceptance, and the universal desire to be seen and understood for who we are. Those themes feel especially important today. We are living in a time when divisions often seem louder than understanding, and when people are too frequently judged before they are truly known. Stories like Kaya remind us of our shared humanity and the value of embracing the complexity of our individual experiences. I believe audiences will see themselves in this journey, regardless of their cultural background, and that is what makes it such a timely and important film.

The film explores identity and belonging through Filipino Martial Arts. Why do you think these themes will resonate so strongly with audiences today?

I think these themes resonate so strongly today because so many people are searching for a sense of belonging. Whether it’s culture, family, community, or identity, many of us have experienced what it feels like to question where we fit in.

What makes Kaya (ᜃᜌ) so powerful is that Nia’s journey is both deeply personal and universal. While she is navigating what it means to be half-Filipina and reconnecting with her heritage through Filipino Martial Arts, her story speaks to anyone who has ever felt caught between worlds or struggled to be accepted for who they are.

At a time when people are often divided by labels and differences, Kaya reminds us that identity is complex and that belonging comes from embracing our whole selves. That’s a message I believe audiences from all backgrounds can connect with.

Still from Kaya (courtesy of Tribeca)

What does it mean to you to have Kaya (ᜃᜌ) premiere during the 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival?

Having Kaya (ᜃᜌ) premiere during the 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival is incredibly meaningful. As a producer, filmmaker, and festival director myself, I’ve spent much of my career championing independent storytellers and helping bring important voices to audiences. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to get a film made, and even more challenging to find the right platform for it.

Tribeca has long been one of the industry’s most respected champions of emerging talent and culturally significant storytelling, so having Kaya recognized as part of this milestone year feels especially rewarding. It’s a testament not only to the quality of the film, but also to Isabel’s vision and the universal themes at its heart.

What excites me most is knowing that Kaya will be introduced to a global audience in a setting that celebrates diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations. For a film about identity, belonging, and embracing who you are, there couldn’t be a more fitting stage. Being part of Tribeca’s 25th anniversary is both an honor and a reminder of why we tell stories in the first place—to connect people through shared human experiences.

How important is it to tell stories that explore identity, belonging, and cultural connection in today’s film landscape?

I believe these stories are essential because film has a unique ability to build understanding across experiences. The more authentic and specific a story is, the more universal it often becomes.

When audiences see characters navigating questions of identity, culture, and connection, it opens the door to empathy and helps people recognize parts of themselves in lives that may seem very different from their own. In today’s film landscape, those human connections are more valuable than ever.

Across your decades in film, television, and festival leadership, what has been the most rewarding part of your journey?

The most rewarding part of my journey has been helping stories and storytellers find their audience. Whether as a producer, filmmaker, or festival director, even as an actor, I’ve always believed that film has the power to connect people, challenge perspectives, and create empathy.

There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone’s vision come to life, and watching audiences discover something that moves them, inspires them, or makes them feel seen. Those moments remind me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place and why I continue to champion it today.

NYWIFT at Gracie Mansion at the 2025 MOME Made in NY Awards (from left): Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, Zenaida Mendez, Katie Chambers, Rashiek Smart-Charbonnier, and Leslie Fields-Cruz

As a Board Member and VP of Special Events for New York Women in Film & Television, what has your experience with NYWIFT meant to you personally and professionally?

My experience with NYWIFT has been incredibly meaningful, both personally and professionally. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work across many areas of the industry—as a producer, filmmaker, actor, and festival director—and NYWIFT has given me the opportunity to help create pathways for others.

What I value most is the community. This industry can often feel competitive and isolating, yet NYWIFT brings together people who genuinely want to support, mentor, and uplift one another. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and learning from remarkable women at every stage of their careers, especially from our fearless leader, NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez, and those relationships have been just as valuable as any professional achievement.

As a Board Member and humbly serving as VP of Special Events, it’s especially rewarding to help create spaces where these meaningful connections happen—whether that’s introducing emerging talent to new opportunities, celebrating accomplishments, or fostering conversations that move our industry forward. Personally, it has reinforced my belief that storytelling is not just about the work we create, but also about the communities we build around it. Being part of NYWIFT has been an opportunity to give back to an industry that has given me so much, and that’s something I deeply cherish.

Why do you believe organizations like NYWIFT remain so important in today’s entertainment industry?

Organizations like NYWIFT remain important because talent alone isn’t always enough—you also need access, mentorship, community, and people willing to open doors. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how transformative those opportunities can be.

What makes NYWIFT special is that it doesn’t just celebrate achievements; it actively invests in the next generation through education, mentorship, advocacy, and meaningful industry connections. It creates a space where people can learn, grow, and support one another rather than navigate the industry alone. In an industry that is constantly evolving, that sense of community and commitment to lifting others up is more valuable than ever.

After audiences watch Kaya (ᜃᜌ), what do you hope stays with them most?

I hope audiences walk away remembering that belonging isn’t something you have to earn. We all carry different pieces of who we are—our culture, our family, our experiences—and Kaya reminds us that those pieces don’t have to fit neatly into anyone else’s definition. If viewers leave feeling a little more accepting of themselves and a little more empathetic toward others, then the film has done something meaningful.

Connect with Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago on Instagram, X, and Youtube at @sibylsantiago and @sittingcatprod.

See Kaya (ᜃᜌ) at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, running June 3-14. 

And check out all the other NYWIFT member projects at the 2026 Tribeca Festival. 

More About Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago:

With over three decades of experience in film, television, and stage production across the US & Asia, Sibyl has cemented her influence in the industry. As President of Sitting Cat Productions, she has produced notable films, including the feature “SAM” with Executive Producer Mel Brooks, and “FOLLOW HER” by award-winning director Sylvia Caminer. Her collaborations span studios such as ABS-CBN, Star Cinema, Regal Films, Metro Style, and she has worked with prestigious clients like Google, YouTube, and Target. Sibyl is a Board Member & VP of Special Events for New York Women in Film & Television; is an active member of SAG-AFTRA, BAFTA, Women Independent Producers (WIP), Producers Without Borders (PWB), and Producers Guild of America, and a founding member of the AAPI Working Group. Her achievements earned her accolades that include being recently named among the top 75 Most Influential Filipino Americans by Blogtalk Radio, the Community Collaboration Award by Women in Action & Media, and being named one of The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York, Arts & Culture Award at Carnegie Hall.  Currently, she serves as Executive Director & Head of Programming for the SOHO International Film Festival, marking her 16th year in these roles.