photo from Film Academy of the Philippines
MANILA — Eight Philippine films are under consideration to become the country’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards, the Film Academy of the Philippines said.
The contenders are Carl Joseph Papa’s 58th, Jade Castro’s All the Things I Leave You (Patawid), Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s I’mPerfect, Raymond Red’s Manila’s Finest, Jerrold Tarog’s Quezon, Lawrence Fajardo’s Silenced Nights and Jun Robles Lana’s Sisa.
The FAP is expected to announce its selection Sept. 4 during the opening of Philippine Film Industry Month. The Film Development Council of the Philippines is organizing the industry program, while the FAP oversees the country’s Oscar selection process.
The field includes films that have received festival recognition at home and abroad.
Papa’s animated 58th examines the continuing search for recognition of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, who disappeared during the 2009 Maguindanao massacre. The film won the Facing the Edge category at New Zealand’s Doc Edge festival.
Filipiñana, set inside an exclusive country club, explores class, labor and power and received a World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award at Sundance.
I’mPerfect, about two young adults with Down syndrome seeking greater independence, won Best Picture at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.
Red’s Manila’s Finest, starring Piolo Pascual, is a crime drama set in 1969 Manila, while Tarog’s Quezon stars Jericho Rosales as Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.
Castro’s Ilocano-language Patawid follows a cross-generational story of love, migration and inheritance. Lana’s Sisa, starring Hilda Koronel, is set during the Philippine-American War. Fajardo’s Silenced Nights follows a laborer who witnesses the killing of a teenager and is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The Academy’s international-feature shortlist will be announced Dec. 15, with nominations set for Jan. 21, 2027.
