Grammy-Winner Jhett Tolentino’s ‘Asian Persuasion’ Rom-Com Sets North American Release, AFM Sales Launch (EXCLUSIVE)

“Asian Persuasion,” the film directing debut of three-time Tony Award- and Grammy-winning producer Jhett Tolentino, has set North American distribution and will have a sales launch at the imminent American Film Market.

Hawaii-based Scatena & Rosner Films has acquired the worldwide rights to the romantic comedy. The film tells the story of a lovable underachiever who hatches an outrageous scheme to avoid paying alimony to his fashion-executive ex-wife.

Scatena & Rosner Films will release the film itself in the North American or ‘domestic’ market and has earmarked a Spring 2025 date. The company will begin rights licensing in all other territories from next week’s AFM in Las Vegas (Nov. 5-10).

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The film was written by Mike Ang. It stars an ensemble cast, including Dante Basco (“Hook”), KC Concepcion (“Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill”), Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”), and Paolo Montalban (“Cinderella”). 

“Asian Persuasion” is produced under the Jhett Tolentino Productions banner with Tolentino and screenwriter Ang serving as producers. Cinematography is by Andrea Walter (“The Fabulous Filipino Brothers,” “Empty by Design”) with production and costume design by Dedalus Moving Pictures’ Sheena Alexis (“Caretakers”). The music score is by Eunike Tanzil (“Be Somebody”) with casting by Bess Fifer.

Tolentino has produced 19 stage productions on and off Broadway, including “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” starring Sigourney Weaver; “A Raisin in the Sun,” with Denzel Washington. As a music producer, he oversaw the cast album recording of “The Color Purple,” featuring Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson and Danielle Brooks. His film production credits include “Life Is What You Make It,” in 2017 and Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca,” which premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.

“We’re thrilled to bring Asian Persuasion to audiences around the globe,” said Zach Stampone, VP distribution at Scatena & Rosner Films, who negotiated the rights pickup. “The film’s clever, relatable plot, combined with such a talented cast and crew from 21 Asian nations, makes it a standout romantic comedy for 2025 and beyond. Director Tolentino’s ability to tell authentic stories that resonate with viewers has us excited to share this film with a wide audience.”

Scatena & Rosner Films is a film production, finance, distribution, sales and product placement firm headed by Gato Scatena and Jordan Rosner. Its film sales lineup includes Luke Sparke’s “Fight for Your Life” and Patrick Gilles’ “I’m Charlie Walker.”