
The Debut
One night can change a lifetime.
Filipino-American high school student Ben (Dante Basco) works in a comic book shop to earn money to pay his way into Cal Arts. His father, a postman, is determined that his son--who has won a pre-med scholarship to UCLA--will become a doctor. The eighteenth birthday party of Ben's sister, Rose, sets off a comedic and touching series of events and family struggles that will in turn determine young Ben's future. This fresh independent production from Gene Cajayon presents a lighthearted and warm coming-of-age tale filtered through the eyes of an American subculture rarely seen on film.
Where to Watch
You can check official streaming platforms for availability:
Movie Details
- Original Title: The Debut
- Genres: Drama
- Release Date: 2000-05-18
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Rating: 5.4/10 (7 votes)
- Budget: $1,000,000
- Revenue: $0
- Production Companies: Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), National Asian American Telecommunications Association
- Status: Released
- Popularity: 2.4636
- Languages: English, Tagalog
Cast & Crew

Dante Basco
as Ben Mercado

Jayson Schaal
as Doug

Brian Card
as Dave

Mindy Spence
as Jennifer

Nicole Hawkyard
as Susie

Brandon Martinez
as Rick

Ernie Zarate
as Tito Lenny

Gina Alajar
as Gina Mercado

Bernadette Balagtas
as Rose Mercado

Derek Basco
as Edwin Mercado
Gallery



Trailers & Clips
The Debut Trailer
Keywords
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Debut?▼
The Debut is a Drama movie directed by . It was released on 2000-05-18.
Who are the main actors in The Debut?▼
The main cast includes Dante Basco, Jayson Schaal, Brian Card, Mindy Spence, Nicole Hawkyard, .
Where can I watch The Debut online?▼
You can check official streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ to see if The Debut is available.
Is The Debut based on a true story?▼
One night can change a lifetime.
What is the IMDb rating of The Debut?▼
The Debut has an IMDb rating of 5.4/10 based on 7 votes.
What is the budget and revenue of The Debut?▼
The movie had a production budget of $1,000,000 and earned $0 at the box office.
Who composed the soundtrack for The Debut?▼
The soundtrack was composed by Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), National Asian American Telecommunications Association. You can listen to it on music streaming platforms.
Where was The Debut filmed?▼
The Debut was filmed in multiple locations worldwide. You can find official filming locations on IMDb.
How long is The Debut?▼
The total runtime of The Debut is 88 minutes.
Is The Debut suitable for kids?▼
The movie is rated Released. Please check parental guidelines before watching.
Will there be a sequel to The Debut?▼
There is no official announcement yet for a sequel to The Debut.
Does The Debut have a post-credit scene?▼
Some movies include post-credit scenes. Stay till the end to find out!