Every year, as the Academy Awards loom, the same question hovers over Philippine cinema: when will the country finally land its first Oscar nomination for Best International Feature?
This year, seven films are in contention to be our official entry: “Magellan,” “Sunshine,” “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” “Green Bones,” “Hello, Love, Again,” “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking,” and “Song of the Fireflies.”
The winner will be unveiled at the Philippine Film Industry Month Gala Night on September 11.
But beyond the glitz of that announcement lies a much heavier burden—what is truly at stake?
For decades, the Philippines has produced masterful works—raw, inventive, deeply Filipino. Yet the Oscars remain elusive.
Lav Diaz’s “Magellan,” fresh from a Cannes standing ovation, is perhaps the strongest contender abroad. Still, at over four hours long, its accessibility to Academy voters is in question.
Meanwhile, “Sunshine” and “Hello, Love, Again” boast mainstream appeal, and the documentary “Food Delivery” carries urgent political relevance.
A nomination would mean far more than prestige. It would affirm that Philippine cinema belongs on the world stage. It could spark international collaborations, attract funding, and reinvigorate our struggling industry.
For local producers, it could even mean survival.
Yet as FDCP Chair Joey Reyes reminds us, the Oscars are not only about artistry. Campaigns, visibility, and strategy are just as critical. Recognition often favors films with strong festival presence and sustained promotion, which, of course, means funding.
So, we ask again: When will the Philippines finally claim its Oscar moment? Perhaps the answer lies not only in the films we create but in how we choose to champion them. Until then, our long-standing dream remains both within reach—and painfully out of grasp.
