One of them will be the country’s next submission to the prestigious award-giving body.
On Friday, August 28, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) announced that eight movies are competing to become the country’s entry to the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.
These submissions were considered by the local body to become the submission to the Best International Feature Film category.
The Film Academy Director-General Paolo Villaluna noted in a statement, “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.”
Villaluna also noted that each one has its own “voice and approach,” which showcase the Philippines’ cinematic merit and that “any of them has the potential to connect with audiences beyond the Philippines.”
“Whichever film we send to the Oscars will carry a Filipino story that we can be proud of,” he added.
This year, the slate of shortlisted films range from those who have recieved nationwide screening, seen via independent film festival, and some that were not only screened internationally, but also received accolades.
These are Carl Joseph Papa’s documentary 58th; Jade Castro’s Ilocano-language BL film All the Things I Leave You (Patawid); Rafael Manuel’s satire Filipiñana; Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo’s drama I’mPerfect; Raymond Red’s period crime drama Manila’s Finest; Jerrold Tarog’s historical drama Quezon; Lawrence Fajardo’s sociopolitical thriller Silenced Nights; and Jun Robles Lana’s historical thriller Sisa.
According to the Film Academy, the contenders will undergo a rigorous selection process led by a National Selection Committee convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines.
The said panel will be composed of respected Filipino industry experts and the committee has been approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to evaluate 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 to the 99th Oscars on September 4, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the Philippine Film Industry Month with the Film Development Council of the Philippines,” the FAP said in its statement.
In previous years, the Philippines has also submitted entries to the said award category, with the three most recent being Iti Mapukpukaw (2024), And So It Begins (2025), and Magellan (2026). However, neither of the movies landed a spot in the official list of nominees.
