Filipinos are finally getting well-deserved recognition on the global stage

Liza Soberano: Filipino global recognition is sparking a movement

Kristofer Purnell 
Philstar.com
September 17, 2026 

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are finally getting well-deserved recognition on the global stage, says Liza Soberano.

Philstar.com exclusively spoke to the actress during the promotional rounds for her latest film "Forgotten Island," a DreamWorks Animation movie inspired by Filipino culture, mythology, and folklore.

Majority of the project's cast and crew is of Filipino descent. Liza leads the voice cast alongside fellow Filipino-American H.E.R., and together even contribute a song on the official soundtrack.

The movie follows best friends Raissa and Jo (Liza and H.E.R., respectively) as they are stranded on the titular island of Nakali, where the only way home may mean losing a lifetime of memories and emotions.

Liza shared her thoughts on what it means to be part of the Filipino community being recognized even more in the global entertainment scene.

The actress began by acknowledging how surreal and honored she feels being part of the project itself.

"I feel like this is kind of a movement," Liza continued. "There's so many Filipinos all over the world that are kind of having a moment in film, music, and food space."

She noted how exciting it was to see people form other cultures taking interest or having curiosity for Philippine culture and finding the beauty in it.

"Us, Filipinos, we love to travel the world and experience other people's cultures so it's nice that we're finally also getting that [kind of] reactions to our culture," Liza added.

"Forgotten Island" also features the voices of Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, Filipino-American actress Amielynn Abellera, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng.

Directed by Joel Crawford and Filipino-American Januel Mercado, it hits Philippine cinemas this September 23.

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

Filipina nominated for best cinematography at Oscar's

 Filipina cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes Oscar history with 'Sinners'

Iza Iglesias 
Manila Times
23 January 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw has entered Oscar history as the first Filipina and the first woman of color nominated for best cinematography.  

Arkapaw was nominated for her work on the 2025 horror film “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, which led all films this year with a record 16 Academy Award nominations. Her recognition places her in a category that has long excluded women, with only three ever nominated and none having won. 

Arkapaw, born in Oxnard, California, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, is of Filipino descent on her mother’s side and African American Creole on her father’s. She follows Rachel Morrison as only the second woman nominated in the category and Matthew Libatique as the second Filipino nominee. 

Her work on “Sinners” was already historic even before awards season. Arkapaw became the first female cinematographer to shoot a feature film on large-format IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision 70, formats typically reserved for big-budget epics and rarely helmed by women. 

Reflecting on the nomination, Arkapaw told Variety, “To have other people, like young girls and boys see you out there, speaking about what you do and showing them that it matters, that’s been really fun. I thought how special it would be for in the future someone to look up this nomination, because I’m the fourth woman. And I know the ones that came before me.” 

She said attending the Oscars with her son will make the moment even more meaningful. 

“My son can go because he’s that age. So that’s going to be fun for me, just seeing his reaction to all of this, and just seeing his little face react to all of this stuff. Because, you know, when we make these films, I have to be away. And I think for him to see what that culminates to is really special,” she added. 

Arkapaw studied art history at Loyola Marymount University and later graduated from the AFI Conservatory’s cinematography program in 2009. She began her career in advertising and as a camera assistant before moving into feature films. In 2022, she was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers, one of the industry’s most prestigious professional organizations. 

Though often behind the camera, Arkapaw has spoken about the importance of visibility in filmmaking. She told Vogue Philippines in a previous interview, “We know there will be black and brown girls and boys who see themselves in us, looking for inspiration. If we approach our work with care, it can help light the way for someone else’s journey, and to me, that’s truly beautiful.” 

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. 

Dennis Trillo is Best Actor in Asian Academy Awards

 Dennis Trillo named Asia's best actor at Asian Academy Creative Awards 2025

GMA Integrated News
05 Dec 2025

Dennis Trillo received a major recognition at the Asian Academy Creative Awards — he was named Asia’s Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Domingo Zamora in “Green Bones!”

The Filipino actor beat out several other top artists, including Jacob Elordi for “The Narrow Road to the Deep Road” and Park Bo Gum for “When Life Gives You Tangerines.”

“PANALO ang Pilipinas! Panalo ang PILIPINO,” Dennis said on Instagram.

“Truly grateful for this,” he said and tagged the award-giving body. “Thank you very much.”

GMA Network Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions for Entertainment Group and Philippine Ambassador for the Asian Academy of Creative Arts Gigi Santiago-Lara accepted the award on behalf of Dennis and “Green Bones” at the ceremony in Singapore.

“This is such a surprise and we are so honored to receive this in behalf of Mr. Dennis Trillo, ‘Green Bones,’ the producers, Nessa Valdellon, the writers Mr. Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza,” she said in her acceptance speech.

“’Green Bones’ did very well in the Philippines and we are so honored to receive this award. Thank you to the academy.”

"Green Bones" is the official entry of GMA Pictures to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024, where it won several awards including Best Actor for Dennis, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, and Best Picture.

The film follows Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru), a young policeman determined to keep notorious criminal Domingo Zamora (Dennis) behind bars.

Dennis also won a Gawad Urian award in October for the role.

“Green Bones” is streaming on Netflix.

Filipino-Americans rising up the ranks of stardom

Talented stars who are proudly Filipino American

StarsInsider
07 August 2025

Day by day, Hollywood becomes an increasingly diverse place, embracing stars from all sorts of different backgrounds. While Asian Americans are slowly taking center stage, a smaller group of Filipino Americans have been rising up the ranks of stardom, making the Philippines proud.

From singers to actors, TV hosts to comedians, see some incredibly talented Filipino-American celebrities.

H.E.R.

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Oscar and Grammy winner H.E.R. is a biracial Black and Filipina musician and singer-songwriter.

Hailee Steinfeld

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The actress and singer has a maternal grandfather who was half Filipino (from Panglao, Bohol) and half African-American.

Lou Diamond Phillips

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The actor and director, who famously starred as Ritchie Valens in the biopic 'La Bamba,' was born to a Filipina mother, but he's played more roles in other ethnicities (Mexican, Native American, Chilean, Inuit) than Filipino American.

Cassie

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The singer, model, actress, and dancer, who dominated the '00s with R&B songs, was born to a Filipino father.

Dominic Fike

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The musician and actor, who made his acting debut on 'Euphoria,' is of African-American, Filipino, and Haitian descent.

Nicole Scherzinger

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Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a father of Filipino descent and a Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian mother, Nicole Scherzinger is famously known as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls.

Darren Criss

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The actor famous for his role on 'Glee' is actually half Filipino. His mother was born in Cebu City in the Philippines.

Tia Carrere

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The actress, singer, and former model, who got her first big break as a regular on the daytime soap opera 'General Hospital,' and later in 'Wayne's World' (1992), is Hawaiian and Filipino, but the first time she played a Filipino role was in the 2022 comedy 'Easter Sunday.'

Jo Koy

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Famed stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy, who was a frequent panelist on 'Chelsea Lately,' loves to crack jokes about his Filipina mother. He spearheaded the film 'Easter Sunday,' which was an all-too-rare Hollywood moment for Filipino people.

Vanessa Lachey

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The actress, model, and reality TV show host, who happens to be married to Nick Lachey, was born in Angeles City, Philippines, to an American father and a Filipina mother to whom she's estranged.

Dave Bautista

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The actor and retired professional wrestler, most widely known for his portrayal of Drax the Destroyer in the MCU since 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014), is part Filipino, as his father is the son of Filipino immigrants.

Olivia Rodrigo

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The young singer and actress, who got her start on Disney with 'Bizaardvark' and 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' and later took the world by storm with her angsty songs, has a Filipino father and a mother with German and Irish ancestry.

apl.de.ap

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Apl.de.ap, real name Allan Pineda Lindo, is a founding member of the world-famous hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas and was born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and an African-American father before he was adopted and relocated to LA.

Bruno Mars

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The world-famous singer, producer, musician, and dancer was born to a Filipina mother and a half Puerto-Rican, half Ashkenazi Jewish father.

Vanessa Hudgens

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The actress and singer's mother immigrated to the US from the Philippines—a story which Hudgens says she hopes to one day make a movie about.

Rob Schneider

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The actor, comedian, and 'Saturday Night Live' veteran has a bit of Filipino in him. His grandmother was reportedly a Filipino who married his grandfather, an American Army private, while he was stationed in the Philippines, making his mother Pilar half Filipina.

Shannyn Sossamon

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The actress, who is known for films like 'A Knight's Tale' and '40 Days and 40 Nights,' was born in Honolulu and cites a mix of ethnicities as her heritage, Filipino among them.

Kirk Hammett

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The lead guitarist and a contributing songwriter for Metallica, Kirk Hammett also happens to be Filipino American.

Manila Luzon

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The famed drag queen (who appeared on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars') is, in addition to being Filipino American, also a recording artist and comedian.

Charlyne Yi

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The nonbinary actor who is best known for their roles in 'Knocked Up' and 'Paper Heart' was born to a mother who was a native of the Philippines and is of both Filipino and Spanish descent.

Sharon Leal

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The actress, whose mother is Filipino and whose father was an American military policeman, is best known for her stunning part in 'Dreamgirls' and more recently could be seen on 'Supergirl.'

Lalaine Vergara-Paras

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Lalaine Vergara-Paras found fame early as Hilary Duff's co-star on 'Lizzie McGuire,' but while Vergara-Paras' character was supposed to be of Mexican descent (Miranda Sanchez), her parents are actually Filipino.

Mark Dacascos

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The actor, martial artist, and television personality—best known as "The Chairman" on Food Network's 'Iron Chef America'—was born in Hawaii to a father of whose parents originated from the Philippines and were of Chinese, Filipino and Spanish ancestry, meanwhile his mother reportedly is of Irish and Japanese ancestry.

Mike Inez

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The famed bassist of rock band Alice in Chains was born to a Filipina mother who immigrated to the US from Manila.

Robert Lopez

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The songwriter who notably co-created 'The Book of Mormon' and 'Avenue Q,' and who's famed for co-writing the songs featured in 'Frozen' and 'Coco' with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, was born and raised in New York to Filipino-American parents.

Dean Devlin

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The screenwriter and producer of famous films including 'Independence Day' (1996) and 'Godzilla' (1998), Dean Devlin was born to a Jewish father and Filipina mother. His series 'Almost Paradise' in 2020 became the first-ever American TV series filmed entirely in the Philippines.

Joey Santiago

©Getty Images

Joey Santiago is a Filipino-American guitarist and composer best known for being the lead guitarist of the iconic alt-rock band the Pixies, whose signature style serves as a major influence in the evolution of alt-rock to this day.

Fil-Am nurses featured in US Film Festival

Untold stories of Filipino nurses featured at Napa Valley film festival

Gavin Martinez 
Inquirer.net
25 January 2025

Filipino nurses, often unsung heroes of global healthcare, take center stage in Michele Josue’s documentary, “Nurse Unseen.” 

The film delves into their selfless contributions, all while showing their courage, resilience and compassion during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simultaneously, it highlights their fight against a troubling surge in anti-Asian hate incidents.

Recently, “Nurse Unseen” has been chosen as the opening feature film for the inaugural Napa Valley Asian American Film Festival (NVAAFF). This highly anticipated event debuts on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center.

The NVAAFF aims to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic storytelling of Asian and Asian American creatives, which combines traditional filmmaking with the innovative realms of contemporary storytelling.

Co-hosted by actress and winemaker Kara Wang and actor Ryan Alexander Holmes, the festival promises a unique experience that merges cinematic brilliance with Napa Valley’s renowned charm.

Highlighting the event’s vision, “Nurse Unseen” exemplifies the festival’s commitment to amplifying untold stories. According to the press release, the festival offers attendees an immersive day of storytelling, creativity and cultural exchange. 

The lineup also features films that celebrate the diversity and innovation of Asian and Asian American voices, complemented by Napa’s signature culinary and winemaking heritage.

Among the highlights of the festival are an exploration of AI-inspired short films, which showcase how artificial intelligence is transforming the filmmaking process.

This segment highlights the potential of new technologies to expand creative freedom and democratize access to storytelling for emerging voices. 

Attendees will also be treated to a series of critically acclaimed feature films, each exploring themes of resilience, identity and community through an Asian American lens.

Additionally, the festival will feature narrative shorts, presenting personal stories that capture the complexities of human connection and cultural intersectionality.

Hollywood Films to be set in the Philippines

Donald Petrie to Direct a Hollywood Romcom Set in the Philippines

Paulina Singh
Preview 
16 January 2025

He's the director behind cult classics like “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and "Miss Congeniality."

Hollywood is setting its sights on the Philippines for a new romantic comedy. On January 14 (U.S. time), American entertainment magazine Variety reported that director Donald Petrie has officially signed on to helm an upcoming film titled The Last Resort.

For the unacquainted, Donald is the director behind the films How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days  (2003) and Miss Congeniality (2000)—just some of the 2000's most-loved romantic comedies, no biggie!

Many details about the project remain under wraps. However, it was revealed that the film will feature a screenplay penned by Karen McCullah, the Philippine-born American writer behind cult favorites 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and She’s the Man (2006).

According to the report, the film centers on a hotel executive tasked with scouting potential resort locations in the Philippines. Along the way, she becomes enchanted by the country’s picturesque landscapes and warm-hearted people, eventually crossing paths with Ben, described as “a charming expatriate charter pilot.”

Veteran casting director Sheila Jaffe, whose expansive portfolio includes Entourage (2004) and The Italian Job (2003), is set to lead the casting process, with casting expected to begin early this year.

The film will be produced by Filipino producer Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr. and Hollywood-based Raja Collins.  Moreover, Filipino business magnate Manuel V. Pangilinan has also signed on as the film's executive producer. Needless to say, The Last Resort is shaping up to be a rom-com that Filipinos and international cinephiles can look forward to. 

First Southeast Asian Disney Store opens in Manila

First Disney Store in Southeast Asia opens in the Philippines

Fe Almazan
GMA Lifestyle
October 2, 2024

The sole Disney Store in the region opens in Pasay City.

The first Disney Store in the Philippines and the only one in the Southeast Asia region so far has officially opened its doors in Pasay City.

Located at Level 1 of the North Main Mall of SM Mall of Asia, the Disney Store houses different products from beloved movies and shows of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

“In bringing Disney Store to one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, we aspire for it to become a welcoming retail destination where guests look forward to creating memories with their loved ones," International Toy World Inc. president, Rose Marie Dylim, was quoted as saying.

Disney fans will surely find solace in the Manila store as it showcases authentic toys, plushies, apparel, costumes, homeware, and other collectibles. There are also select products from Disney Parks.

At the same time, the store also features photo spots and sculptures of fan-favorite characters like the Disney Princesses, Frozen's Queen Elsa, Winnie the Pooh, Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and Mickey Mouse and Friends.

“We look forward to bringing the magic of Disney closer to home for guests of all ages, and creating happiness for them every day,” said Disney Consumer Products Asia-Pacific vice president for retail, Sara Grewal.

Fil-Am actress Julia Rehwald, others join ‘One Piece’ season 2 cast

Fil-Am actress Julia Rehwald, others join ‘One Piece’ season 2 cast

Story by Hannah Mallorca

Inquirer.net

03 July 2024

Filipino-American actress Julia Rehwald, best known for her work in the film series “Fear Street,” is one of the new cast members to look out for in the live-action adaptation of “One Piece” season two.

Rehwald will take on the role of Tashigi, who serves as a Naval officer under Commodore Smoker in the original Manga series. An antagonist turned good girl, she is noted for her lightning-fast sword-fighting abilities in the storyline.

The actress also took to her Instagram page on Saturday, July 29, to announce her casting, which she said is a “huge dream come true.”

Aside from Rehwald, also cast in season two are Daniel Lasker (Mr. 9), Camrus Johnson (Mr. 5), Jazzara Jaslyn (Miss Valentine), David Dastmalchian (Mr. 3), Werner Coetser (Dorry), and Brendan Murray (Brogy).

Other new cast members include Clive Russell (Crocus), Callum Kerr (Smoker) Rob Colletti (Wapol), and Ty Keogh (Dalton).

More actors will be announced at a later date, a streaming platform said in a press statement.

“One Piece” is a live-action adaptation of the beloved Manga, which tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew on a quest for the world’s ultimate treasure. Luffy hopes to be the King of the Pirates.

The series stars Iñaki Godoy as the titular Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Emily Rudd (Nami), Jacob Romero (Usopp), and Taz Skylar (Sanji). Its first season premiered in August 2023.

Details on the premiere date are yet to be revealed, but reports said it will premiere sometime in 2025.

Young Fil-Am actor wins top award at international filmfest

Fil-Am young actor’s film ‘Camera’ captures top award at int’l film festival

Story by Hans Carbonilla
Inquirer.net
01 May 2024

At the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Jay Silverman’s “Camera” quietly stole the spotlight, earning the Best Feature Film (Family category) award.

During the awards night, Silverman introduced the audience to his film’s star, Filipino American young actor Miguel Gabriel, declaring, “This is the star of my film, Miguel.”

In “Camera,” Gabriel shines as Oscar, a nine-year-old navigating life without the ability to speak. The film follows his journey alongside his mother, played by Jessica Parker Kennedy. He then meets a seasoned repairman portrayed by Beau Bridges and becomes his mentor, teaching him the art of photography and imparting invaluable life lessons along the way.

This marks a significant milestone for the Fil-Am actor as it was his first lead role in a feature film. Reflecting on the win at the film festival, Gabriel expressed that he was “shocked but with so much excitement and joy.”

“I felt proud and happy,” he continued. “I’m grateful to everyone who was involved in making this movie. Winning an award proves that all our hard work to make this film come to life on the big screen for everyone to enjoy has paid off. It warms my heart.”

When asked about the feeling of being brought on stage with Silverman to receive the award, he expressed, “It was amazing! It felt like I got the biggest lifetime achievement award.”

His portrayal of Oscar holds personal significance, drawing from his own experiences with speech impediments when he was younger.

“So I went to a speech therapist and she suggested theater for me because I was expressive through my face and body language,” he told Inquirer.net USA. “So when I did theater, it helped me get over it, and now I get to use that experience, those feelings I felt, and use it to be Oscar.”

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is an annual event held in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa, where films from around the world are screened during the five-day event.

After JDIFF, “Camera” prepares to embark on its journey to more esteemed film festivals such as the San Luis Obispo Film Festival, the Beverly Hills Film Festival and the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Pinoys shine at Vietnam Filmfest

Filipino film bags top honor; Liza Soberano among jury at Vietnam filmfest

Kathleen A. Llemit 
Philstar.com
14 April 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Liza Soberano graced the red carpet of the 1st Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival in Vietnam, where she also served as among the judges at the inaugural film fest. Apart from her, Sheron Dayoc's film "Gospel of the Beast" bagged the Golden Star Award or Best Film. 

The jetsetting Filipino-American actress stood out in her simple yet sleek black dress with her hair polished in a tight bun as she walked the red carpet yesterday. 

She was introduced as among the judges of the First or Second Film Category, which fetes the debut or second feature films of emerging directors and talents from all over the world. 

Liza's co-judges include the Oscar-winning editor of "Whiplash" Vietnamese-American Tom Cross, film producer John Badalu, film director Nguyen Thanh Van and New York Asian Film Festival Executive Director Samuel Jamier. 

The "Lisa Frankenstein" star was also the presenter of the Best Actress award. 

Meanwhile, former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) President Liza Diño congratulated Dayoc for his film's latest achievement on Instagram. 

"Saving the best for last….The Philippines FTW!!!! Congratulations Sheron Dayoc for winning the BEST FILM award in HIFF - Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival. This gripping feature film Produced by Sonny Calventoand Arden Rod B. Condez of Southern Lantern Studios was supported by the FilmPhilippines International Coproduuction Fund during my time in FDCP as head of the agency," Diño wrote on Instagram. 

The Hollywood Reporter's Jordan Mintzer describes Dayoc's film as "realistic and determinedly fatalistic" view at Filipino gang life. It premiered at the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival. 

The other films in Dayoc's category include "13 Bombs," "Blue Imagine," "Dreaming & Dying," "Fire on the Water," "Last Shadow at First Light," "Oasis of Now," "Solids by the Seashore," "Tenement," "The Cursed Land" and "Wonderland."

The jury for the Southeast Asia Film award include film critics and directors such as Hoang Cam Giang, Nguyen Vo Nghiem Minh, Le Thanh Son, Dao Ba Son, Wahyuni Hadi, Janice Chua, Pham Hong Anh, Bao Nguyen and Oliver Pere, who was the artistic director of Cannes' Directors' Fortnight from 2004 to 2009.