'58th,' 'Filipiñana, and 'Quezon' among films vying to be PH’s official entry to the 2027 Oscars
The Film Development Council of the Philippines has unveiled the eight films vying to be the country’s official entry to the 99th Academy Awards.
The agency announced the eight films submitted for consideration as the Philippines’ entry in the Best International Feature Film category.
“The films this year offer a spectrum of views of the Filipino experience. They look at our history, the issues we continue to face, and the ways Filipinos deal with questions of power, identity, love, freedom, and survival. Each one has its own voice and approach, showcasing our cinematic merit and any of them has the potential to connect with audiences beyond the Philippines," Film Academy of the Philippines Director-General Paolo Villaluna said in a statement.
"Whichever film we send to the Oscars will carry a Filipino story that we can be proud of," he added.
The contenders are:
- 58th — Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, the animated documentary revisits the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre through Reynafe Castillo’s fight to have her father, Reynaldo Momay, recognized as its 58th victim. It won the Facing the Edge Award at New Zealand’s Doc Edge Festival.
- All the Things I Leave You (Patawid) — Jade Castro’s Ilocano-language BL film follows two young men working at a family-run restaurant who uncover a decades-old love story that explores class, intimacy, and migration. It won Best Episodic Film at the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.
- Filipiñana — Helmed by Rafael Manuel, the film follows a tee girl’s fascination with an elite country club president leads her to uncover the violence and exploitation beneath its polished facade. It won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
- I’mPerfect — Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo's drama film tells the story of two young adults with Down syndrome seeking to build an independent life together. Starring actors with Down syndrome in lead roles, the film won Best Picture at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.
- Manila’s Finest — Raymond Red’s period crime drama is set in 1969 Manila and follows a police captain whose murder investigation exposes a broader corruption scheme. It received several awards at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival and premiered internationally at the New York Asian Film Festival.
- Quezon — Directed by Jerrold Tarog, the historical drama chronicles Manuel L. Quezon’s rise from soldier and lawyer to President of the Philippine Commonwealth. It recently won Best Picture at the 9th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards, while Tarog and Jericho Rosales took home Best Director and Best Actor, respectively.
- Silenced Nights — Lawrence Fajardo’s sociopolitical thriller centers on a laborer whose life is upended after he witnesses the police killing of a teenage boy. It made history as the first Philippine film selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Platform Programme.
- Sisa — Jun Robles Lana’s historical thriller follows a woman believed to be mad who secretly works as a spy for Filipino revolutionaries during the Philippine-American War. The film marked Hilda Koronel’s return to the big screen and won Best Screenplay at Fantasporto.
The selection process will be led by a National Selection Committee convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines. The committee, composed of Filipino industry experts and approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will assess the submissions based on artistic merit, cultural relevance, and international campaign potential.
The Film Academy of the Philippines will announce the country’s official entry on Sept. 4, during the opening ceremony of Philippine Film Industry Month.
Variety has shared its predictions of international films that could dominate the upcoming Oscars, including Toy Story 5, Project Hail Mary, The Odyssey, Obsession, and Michael, among others.
