‘Filipiñana’ selected as PH’s official entry to 2027 Oscars

SELECTED. 'Filipiñana' cast members Jorrybell Agoto and Nour Hooshmand and producers Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew receive their certificates formally naming their film as the Philippines' official entry to the 2027 Oscars from Film Academy of the Philippines director general Paolo Villaluna.

Angel Camille Dio/Rappler

Rafael Manuel's Filipiñana is selected as the country’s official entry to the 2027 Oscars from among eight shortlisted by the Film Academy of the Philippines for the Best International Feature Film category

AT A GLANCE

• Filipiñana has been selected as the Philippines' official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
• The film, directed by Rafael Manuel, explores themes of Philippine society, American colonialism, and social inequality, and has previously won awards at international film festivals.
• The Oscars will announce the official shortlist on December 15, 2026, with the final nominees revealed on January 21, 2027, and the ceremony scheduled for March 14, 2027.

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PASAY CITY, Philippines – Filipiñana is the Philippines’ official entry to the 99th Academy Awards, or the 2027 Oscars, in the Best International Feature Film category, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) announced on Sunday, September 13.

The film, written and directed by Rafael Manuel, beat out seven other contenders shortlisted by FAP: Carl Joseph Papa’s 58th, Jade Castro’s All the Things I Leave You, 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.

“All the eight films, each one of them has the potential to tell the Filipino story in a global manner,” said FAP director general Paolo Villaluna at a press conference.

As defined by the Oscars, an international film is a feature-length motion picture, over 40 minutes long, produced outside the United States and its territories with a predominantly non-English dialogue track, meaning more than 50% of the dialogue is in languages other than English. Animated and documentary feature films are also permitted.

According to Deadline, the deadline for Best International Feature Film submissions is on September 30, with the Oscars set to reveal the official shortlist of 15 films on December 15. The final nominees will be announced on January 21, 2027.

The next Oscars will be held on March 14, 2027 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Filipiñana’s recognition stems from its portrayal of Philippine society and American colonialism. The film depicts postcolonial divisions, labor, and social inequality in the country. 

“Different voices, new ways of storytelling, new forms, that’s what we want [to resonate],” said Filipiñana producer Bianca Balbuena. 

Originally made as a short film that won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020, Filipiñana tells the story of Isabel, who works as a tee girl at a country club’s golf course. It is a coming-of-age story that explores wealth and poverty in Philippine society.

In February, Filipiñana — which runs for 100 minutes — bagged a Special Jury Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Aside from Filipiñana, FAP supports 58th and Agapito for Oscars consideration in the Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Live Action Short Film categories, respectively.

“I hope all eyes are in the Philippines now, all Hollywood eyes. I think we have a good chance with the three titles here,” Villaluna said.

“I hope the Filipinos support all our films,” Villaluna added. “We are the masters of cinema, we are good storytellers.”

At the previous Oscars, Lav Diaz’s Magellan earned the nod as the Philippines’ official entry for the Best International Feature Film category. – Angel Camille Dio/Rappler.com

Angel Camille Dio is a Rappler intern studying BA Journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines.