MANILA, Philippines — After a successful big-screen comeback in the record-breaking movie 'Rewind' at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival, actress Marian Rivera is set to star in 'Balota,' her first-ever Cinemalaya film scheduled to premiere in August.

'Balota' is written and directed by Kip Oebanda, the filmmaker behind 'Liway' and 'Bar Boys.' In the film, Rivera stars as Emmy, a teacher who is tasked as a poll watcher in her local precinct election. The plot revolves around a land-grabbing tycoon and a charismatic former actor who are fierce rivals for the position of mayor in a small town. When violence erupts in their community, Emmy finds herself fleeing into the wilderness with a ballot box and the final election results.