'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.
The FAP is also extending campaign support to Carl Joseph Papa's 58th and Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle's Agapito as they seek consideration in the Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Live Action Short Film categories.
"The Oscars should see more of Philippine cinema, and Pinoy Oscars Pursuit is our effort to make that happen. We are proud to support 58th and Agapito as they bring their stories, their craft, and their distinct Filipino voices to the Academy," FAP Director-General Paolo Villaluna said.
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.
Filipiñana follows the story of Isabel, a 17-year-old "tee girl" working for an elite country club outside Manila. Her fascination with the club's president leads her to uncover the violence and exploitation beneath its polished facade.
Meanwhile, 58th is an animated documentary revisiting the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre through Reynafe Castillo's fight to have her father, Reynaldo Momay, recognized as its 58th victim.
Lastly, Agapito, which premiered in the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, told the story of pin setters working at a duckpin bowling alley.
