Philippines will be represented in the Oscars by two movies

Two Filipino films are Oscar-bound

Business World
September 15, 2026 

IF THINGS go right, the Philippines will be represented in the Oscars by two movies, one as the country’s official entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, the other as Australia’s official entry. Philippine market insights

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has announced that Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana has been selected as the Philippines’ official entry.

According to an FAP statement, “In selecting Filipiñana, the Committee considered the integrity of the film, the producers’ commitment and capacity to fulfill the requirements of the Oscars campaign, and the film’s ability to embody the pride of Philippine cinema. The Committee also recognized the film’s strong visual style but more importantly its incisive examination of class, power, labor, and social realities, as well as its growing international profile.”

The committee, composed of Filipino film industry experts approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines, considered eight films and evaluated them based on artistic merit, cultural relevance, and international campaign potential, choosing Filipiñana to go to the Oscars.

“The film offers a visually distinct and controversial portrait of the Filipino experience: through the eyes of a young Filipina at an elite country club, the film exposes the structural violence, class disparity, and post-colonial inequities that persist even now beneath a meticulously manicured surface of privilege. Its growing international critical recognition affirms both its artistic merit and its capacity to carry a Filipino story rooted in universal questions of power, identity, and survival to a global audience. The Film Academy will work closely with the Filipiñana team throughout the Oscars campaign, providing the support they need and make the most of this opportunity for Philippine cinema,” FAP Director-General Paolo Villaluna was quoted as saying.

Filipiñana follows a 17-year-old girl from rural Ilocos who works as a “tee girl,” lining up golf balls for the club’s wealthy members. Then she discovers that her seemingly innocent fascination with the club’s president is connected to a darker shared history.

The film stars Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat, and Nour Houshmand.

Filipiñana made its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. It was also shown at the Berlin International Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival, at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, and at the Cinema Jove International Film Festival.

AUSTRALIA’S BET

Meanwhile, Australia selected First Light, the feature debut of Filipino-Australian filmmaker James J. Robinson.

First Light has a predominantly Filipino cast and uses mostly Tagalog to tell its story. It stars Ruby Ruiz, Maricel Soriano, Rez Cortez, and National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik.

The film revolves around Sister Yolanda, an aging nun whose faith is challenged following an incident at a remote convent in the Philippines. Philippinemarket insights

First Light has made the rounds of international festivals including the Melbourne International Film Festival, the Marrakech International Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Shanghai International Film Festival, the Glasgow Film Festival, and the New Zealand International Film Festival.

The film received funding from Screen Australia in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund, and the FDCP and VicScreen. It is produced by Majella Productions and Clou Media Productions.

The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles. — AAH