The Philippines has chosen Rafael Manuel’s satirical comedy-drama Filipiñana as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The selection was announced last Sunday, September 13 by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
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Eight contenders were initially shortlisted by the FAP for this year’s submission: 58th, All the Things I Leave You, Filipiñana, I’mPerfect, Manila’s Finest, Quezon, Silenced Nights, and Sisa.
Before the selection, the film had already won the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Features (World Cinema) at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Manuel also won the New Directors Award at the 2026 San Francisco International Film Festival. It is now headed next to the 2026 Bangkok International Film Festival on September 13-26 and the Busan International Film Festival on October 6-15.
In the film, teen Isabel's attraction to Dr. Palanca at her country club job turns dark as she uncovers violence beneath the club's facade and discovers their disturbing connection from the past.
Filipiñana opened to a solid $26.5K at a single location in the United States last August 26-28, 2026. It also became Film Forum NYC’s biggest opening-weekend performer of the decade. Oscar-winning distributor Kino Lorber is currently handling the film’s U.S. distribution, while BFI Distribution will handle its U.K. release this November.
The country has yet to secure an Oscar nomination in this category, despite being among the first eight countries to submit a film when the category was introduced in 1956. The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14, 2027.
