'Filipiñana' selected as PH's official entry to 2027 Oscars

Rafael Manuel's Filipiñana has been selected as the Philippines' official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

The Film Academy of the Philippines announced the selection on Sept. 13 after a committee of Filipino film industry experts, approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, reviewed the eight films submitted for consideration.

According to a press release on the FAP website, Filipiñana was considered for its integrity, the producer's commitment and capacity to fulfill the requirements of the Oscars campaign, and its embodiment of 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 FAP said.

The team behind Filipiñana wrote a message of gratitude on Instagram. "Thank you for being part of this historic milestone," the caption read.

For his part, Manuel shared his hopes for change following the opportunity.

"By representing the Philippines in the Oscars, hopefully Filipiñana also represents how healthier production processes are a viable economic and artistic route for making a film that can compete at the highest levels," the filmmaker said.

Carl Joseph Papa's 58th has been submitted to the Oscars for Best Documentary Feature, and Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle's Agapito for Best Live-Action Short Film.

Manuel's film was chosen from eight other contenders for Best International Feature Film, which included 58th, Jade Castro's All the Things I Leave You (Patawid), Sigrid Andrea P. 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.