The Philippines once again sets out on a journey towards a nomination for the prestigious Academy Awards — this time with three outstanding films.
Rafael Manuel’s ‘Filipiñana’ is the official Philippine entry to the 99th Academy Awards next year under the Best International Feature Film category, as selected by a national committee convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
However, FAP will also extend support to ’58th’ by Carl Joseph Papa and ‘Agapito’ by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, which have been submitted for consideration under the Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Live Action Short Film categories, respectively.
‘Filipiñana’: An examination of class, power, labor, and social realities
The FAP committee chose among eight Filipino films for the country’s official entry, weighing each contender’s artistic achievement, cultural significance, and potential to represent Filipino cinema on an international level.
‘Filipiñana’ ticked off all those boxes, with the committee recognizing the film for its “strong visual style”, “incisive examination of class, power, labor, and social realities”, and its “growing international profile”.
Written and directed by Manuel, ‘Filipiñana’ follows Isabel (Jorrybell Agoto), a teenage girl working at an exclusive country club in the Philippines and, in the process, uncovers the grimmer realities of her colleagues and the people she interacts with.
It made its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it bagged the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Sydney Sweeney’s Novig ad: ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The Housemaid’ star causes outrage – again
PHP25-million grant money
‘Filipiñana’ will receive PHP25 million ($400,000) in grant money, the maximum amount under FAP’s revised Pinoy Oscars Pursuit program, according to Philstar. It will help with the film’s marketing and promotional efforts, which the Philippines often fell short in during its past Oscar campaigns.
Apart from vying for a Best International Feature Film nomination, ‘Filipiñana’ will also reportedly campaign for a spot in the Cinematography and Production Design categories. The FAP has vowed support for whatever the team’s decision would be.
Producer Bianca Balbuena also told Philstar that her strategy letter to the FAP includes campaign plans for other prestigious ceremonies, such as the BAFTAs, Gotham, and Indie Spirit.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: “You guys deserve another record”: My Chemical Romance hints at new album
’58th’ and ‘Agapito’
Utilizing an animation style called rotoscoping and archival materials, ’58th’ is a docufilm based on the real-life journey of Reynafe Castillo (Glaiza de Castro) as she seeks to have her father, photojournalist Reynaldo Momay (Ricky Davao), be recognized as the 58th victim in the Maguindanao Massacre.
The tragic incident shocked the entire nation in 2009 and took the lives of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were journalists.
’58th’ is also among the FAP’s shortlisted films for the International Feature Film category.
It is Papa’s second film to be in contention to represent the Philippines at the Oscars. His 2023 film ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ (The Missing) was among the contenders for the 96th Academy Awards and eventually became the first-ever Filipino animated film to be submitted for consideration to the prestigious competition.
Filipino short drama film ‘Agapito’ centers on a tight-knit group of pin setters as they prepare for an unknown event at a bowling alley that has seen better days. Starring Nour Hooshmand and André Miguel, the film is a story about hope and chosen family.
‘Agapito’ premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and was later screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned an honorable mention for the Best International Short Film award.
READ MORE: Music news: Chaos deepens for Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour as artists withdraw support
More Filipino representation at the Oscars
While only three films will be submitted by the Philippines, another Tagalog-language film is also hoping to be nominated for the International Feature Film award.
James J Robinson’s ‘First Light’ is Australia’s official entry to the 2027 Oscars. It is the first-ever co-produced film between the Philippines and Australia, and also the first Tagalog-language movie ever submitted by the Oceanian country for the Academy Awards.
‘First Light’ is about Sister Yolanda (Ruby Ruiz), an elderly nun who “witnesses a young construction worker’s fatal accident, compelling her to question the ethical principles of the institution she has devoted her life to.”
99th Academy Awards
The Philippines has been submitting films for consideration to the Academy Awards since 1956 but has yet to be nominated for any category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will release the best international feature film shortlist, comprising 15 films, on December 15.
Nominees will be revealed on January 21, 2027, ahead of the awards ceremony on March 14.
READ NEXT: ‘Forgotten Island’ cast speaks on cultural significance ahead of Philippine premiere
Maybelene Marcelino 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Eleni Poulios