FAP director-general Paolo Villaluna says the selection ‘offers an insight about the Filipinos as a nation struggling with the weight of the past and the gritty issues of the present’
MANILA, Philippines – The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has shortlisted seven films being considered as an entry for the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film Category.
FAP earlier said that it aims to select the qualifying films earlier to give Filipino filmmakers a head start in campaigning for their respective productions, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will announce the list of shortlisted films on December 15.
FAP’s pool of shortlisted films will undergo the extensive selection process and will be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the US.
Headed by filmmaker Paolo Villaluna, the FAP put together a lineup of films that span a wide array of relevant stories to the Filipinos.
“The selection offers an insight about the Filipinos as a nation struggling with the weight of the past and the gritty issues of the present. The selection also highlights diverse cinematic voices with each having the potential for universal appeal. It will surely be difficult to choose only one, but whichever feature we end up sending to the Oscars will be one of which any Pinoy can be proud,” Villaluna said in a statement.
Here’s the list of FAP’s shortlisted films:
Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea
Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea follows the struggles of Filipino fisherfolk, the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as some Navy personnel, in delivering food and aid to communities, all while defending the tensions that arise in the waters.
It also highlights the journey of brave fisherman Arnel Satam, who had been tailed by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal.
Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea won the Tides of Change award during the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand.
Green Bones
Green Bones sees Xavier Gonzaga, a corrections officer, fight to keep murderer Domingo Zamora in jail.
The film was directed by Zig Dulay and stars Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid, Alessandra De Rossi, Wendell Ramos, Ronnie Lazaro, and Iza Calzado, among others. Its screenplay was written by National Artist for Literature Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza.
At the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, Green Bones took home the titles of Best Picture, Best Actor (Dennis Trillo), Best Supporting Actor (Ruru Madrid), Best Child Performer (Sienna Stevens), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
Hello, Love, Again
The sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019), Hello, Love, Again (2024) follows exes Joy and Ethan as they reunite in Canada. It was directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
Topbilled by Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, Hello, Love, Again became the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time in November 2024.
Magellan
Written and directed by Lav Diaz, Magellan is a historical drama movie that follows Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in his final months, where he faces indigenous people and eventually dies in Mactan, according to Cannes.
Magellan stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Ronnie Lazaro, Angela Ramos, Hazel Orencio, and Roger Alan Koza, among others.
The film made its debut at the Cannes Premiere section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May.
Some Nights I Feel Like Walking
Some Nights I Feel Like Walking is a queer film that sees a rich teenage boy join a group of male sex workers who eventually set out to bring their late friend’s body home.
Directed by Petersen Vargas, the film stars Miguel Odron, Jomari Angeles, Argel Saycon, Tommy Alejandrino, and Gold Aceron. It premieres in local cinemas on August 27.
Song of the Fireflies
Song of the Fireflies, which premiered in June, traces the origins and path to global success of Bohol’s world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir.
The film stars Morissette, Rachel Alejandro, Noel Comia, Jr. and Krystal Brimner. It was written by Sarge Lacuesta and directed by King Palisoc.
Sunshine
Sunshine, directed by Antoinette Jadaone, sees promising young gymnast Sunshine find out that she is pregnant just days before she and her team are set to fight for a chance to compete at the Olympics. While in the process of acquiring illegal abortion drugs, the gymnast comes across a girl who talks and thinks like her.
The film stars Maris Racal, Elijah Canlas, Xyriel Manabat, Jennica Garcia, Annika Co, and Meryll Soriano.
FAP said that it will announce the country’s official Oscars submission “soon.” – Rappler.com
