Mike de Leon sometime in 2022 in his house. Photo by Vincent-Paul Boncour from Carlotta Films Facebook Page.
LOS ANGELES — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has formally included the late Filipino filmmaker Mike De Leon in its 2026 “In Memoriam” registry. The acknowledgment provides an international coda to a career defined by technical precision and a fierce, often controversial, independence.
While De Leon was not featured in the televised tribute during the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, his inclusion in the Academy’s permanent digital archive serves as a significant institutional recognition. The Academy credits De Leon as a director, cinematographer, editor, and writer—reflecting the multifaceted craftsmanship he exercised over five decades.
A Legacy of Cinematic Resistance
De Leon, who passed away on August 28, 2025, at the age of 78, was a foundational figure in the “Second Golden Age” of Philippine cinema. Unlike many contemporaries who sought the international festival circuit, De Leon maintained a selective and often contentious relationship with global honors, focusing instead on the socio-political fabric of his homeland.
His filmography is a deep exploration of the Philippine psyche and mechanisms of power:
- Itim (1976): A psychological horror exploring guilt; restored and screened at Cannes in 2022.
- Batch ’81 (1982): A visceral indictment of fascism through university fraternity hazing.
- Sister Stella L. (1984): A landmark film concerning labor rights and religious activism.
- Citizen Jake (2018): De Leon’s final feature, addressing misinformation and the resurgence of authoritarianism.
“Mike De Leon’s life was dedicated to film, and his consistent imagination to explore the language of cinema shaped what we understand of Philippine filmmaking today,” said Joey Reyes, Chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
The 98th Academy Awards Context
The 2026 ceremony was dominated by Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which won six Oscars. The live tribute focused on Hollywood luminaries like Rob and Michele Reiner and Robert Redford. While international figures are often omitted from the broadcast due to time, the “Extended In Memoriam” list remains the formal historical record.
