THE Philippines will select its official entry to the 98th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, from a roster of seven local films.
In a press conference on Friday, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Jose Javier Reyes named the Filipino films considered to represent the country in the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category.
These are:
- “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” by Baby Ruth Villarama
- “Green Bones” by Zig Dulay, starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid
- “Hello, Love, Again” by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards
- “Magellan” by Lav Diaz, starring Gael Garcia Bernal
- “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking” by Petersen Vargas, starring Miguel Odron and Gold Aceron
- “Song of the Fireflies” by King Palisoc, starring Rachel Alejandro and Morissette
- “Sunshine” by Antoinette Jadaone, starring Maris Racal and Elijah Canlas
Reyes is part of a seven-member committee that will select the Philippines’ official entry to the 98th Oscars. However, the FDCP chair said the committee members must be confirmed first by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organizes the annual prestigious film awards ceremony, before they convene.
Reyes said the selection committee must convene by the end of August and deliberate on which of the seven local films will be the country’s official entry to the upcoming Oscars. The decision will be announced at this year’s Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) gala night on September 11.
The chosen entry will receive financial support from the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) and the FDCP for marketing and promotion. These factors are crucial in securing an Oscar nomination, as only five nominees will be selected from a 15-film shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category.
“It’s not enough na you’re the best movie, kailangan may machinery ka to promote. Labanan nito strategy eh, kung aling pelikula pinaka magaling mag-strategize para mapansin,” Reyes explained.
“Ilan ‘yung foreign films na nandiyan, pipiliin ‘yung lima. Importante na kilala ka na sa festivals. Ibig sabihin, ‘pag dating mo doon, familiar na sila sa title mo,” he added.
With that, Reyes noted some Filipino films that may have an advantage, including “Sunshine,” “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” “Hello, Love, Again,” “Song of the Fireflies,” and “Green Bones.”
PH films’ international recognition
“Sunshine,” a sports drama film that follows a teenage gymnast who discovers she is pregnant before the national team tryouts, premiered at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival and the 75th Berlinale in Germany.
It recently won the Tartuff Audience Award at the PÖFF Love Film Festival.
Meanwhile, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” a documentary that centers on the maritime conflict between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, emerged victorious at the 2025 Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand, taking home the Tides of Change Award.
“The controversy hanggang Amerika pinag-uusapan,” Reyes said of the documentary.
“Song of the Fireflies” has won multiple international awards, including Best Picture at the 2025 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).
The same film festival gave the 2025 Box Office Hit Award to “Hello, Love, Again,” the current highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.
“Green Bones,” on the other hand, swept the major awards at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), including Best Picture and Best Actor for Trillo.
98th Oscars key dates
According to the Oscars’ website, the deadline for International Feature Film submissions is October 1.
The Oscars shortlists will then be revealed on December 16, followed by the Oscars nominations announcement on January 22, 2026.
Last year, the Philippines submitted Ramona Diaz’s “And So It Begins,” a documentary that follows the 2022 presidential campaign of former Vice President Leni Robredo, as its official entry to the 97th Oscars. However, it failed to secure a spot on the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026.
