The Philippines’ Oscars push

Gael García Bernal in "Magellan" (2025) | The film was also Philippines' leading entry for last year's oscars

There’s more to ensuring a film’s success than its quality. While undoubtedly important, the bill quickly runs high once you’ve taken distribution, international flights, publicists, and more into consideration.

For one, being selected in international film competitions and festivals doesn’t mean squat unless you can actually go. Just last year, the cast and crew of the Cannes-selected “Agapito” scrambled to raise funds to be able to attend the festival. What more for a local film looking for the industry’s highest honor?

In response, the Film Academy of the Philippines has launched its grants program, the Pinoy Oscars Pursuit, which supports Filipino films vying for recognition at the Academy Awards.

The program provides government support to the Philippine country nominee for Best International Feature as well as for other local films vying for nominations in other Oscars categories such as documentary and short films. The program also supports Filipino films competing for international industry-led awards such as the Golden Globes and the Independent Spirit Awards.

The Pinoy Oscars Pursuit

Eligibility rules for Best International Feature Film

• A film must be the official national selection (one per country), chosen by an AMPAS-approved Selection Committee

• It must at least have a seven-consecutive-day theatrical run with paid admission in one venue in its country of origin between Oct. 1, 2025 and Sept. 30, 2026

• More than 50 percent of its dialogue must be in a language other than English, with accurate English subtitles

• Creative control must rest largely with citizens or residents of the submitting country

• A film first released on television, streaming, video-on-demand, DVD, or online before its qualifying theatrical run is disqualified

How entries are evaluated for the shortlist

• Entries are scored on artistic merit (50 percent), cultural relevance (30 percent), and the capacity to campaign (20 percent)

• A pre-selection committee endorses a shortlist to the director-general. A National Selection Committee of seven Filipino film practitioners—six members and a chair—then watches the shortlisted films and selects the official nominee by secret ballot

What do filmmakers get?

For the official Oscars Best International Feature Film Philippine entry:

• When selected as country nominee – P8,000,000

• If the film premieres in an A-list festival – P3,000,000

• If the film wins in an A-list festival – P3,000,000

• If the film wins three main awards (Venice, Cannes, Berlin) before country selection – P3,000,000

• If the film secures a North American distributor – P3,000,000

• If the distributor has already won an Oscar – P5,000,000

• If the distributor has been nominated for an Oscar – P3,000,000

• If the distributor has been shortlisted for an Oscar – P2,000,000

• Maximum total possible grant: P25,000,000

“Quezon,” one of the highest performing films of last years, could vie for Oscars consideration, too | Still from “Quezon”

The economics of a successful film

According to Film Academy of the Philippines director-general Paolo Villaluna, the national government’s Oscars push isn’t just aimed at supporting local cinema. Rather, there are economic goals in place.

“A win for the Philippines is a win for the industry as a whole. When a Filipino film earns a place on the world stage, the whole country gains,” Villaluna shares. “A nomination or shortlisting draws investment, raises the value of our workers’ labor, and brings the world’s attention to the Philippines as a place to tell stories and to make films.”

For example, a study on the impact of film on tourism revealed how cinema can influence people to choose a location as a tourist destination. Wallace Monument in Scotland, where “Braveheart” was shot, received a 300 percent increase in visitors a year after its release. Meanwhile, Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts, where production for “Little Women” was done, also saw a 65 percent increase in tourism the year following its release.

Not to mention, the filming sites from Korea’s “Parasite,” which won Best Picture in 2020, were featured on Seoul City’s tourism website and encountered an influx of visitors both locally and internationally.

As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.

How does the program work?

June 18, 2026 – Filmmakers seeking consideration as the country’s official entry must transmit their submissions to the Film Academy of the Philippines

July 31, 2026 – Submission deadline

Aug. 15, 2026 – Film Academy of the Philippines announces local shortlist

Sept. 2, 2026 – Film Academy of the Philippines announces the country’s official Oscars entry

Sept. 30, 2026 – Deadline to submit to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)

Dec. 15, 2026 – AMPAS announces the Oscars shortlist

Jan. 21, 2027 – AMPAS announces the official nominations

March 2027 – 99th Oscars Awards Ceremony

What is a Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP)?

The FLIP aims to promote the Philippines as a production destination through cash rebates. Globally, countries offer similar incentive programs to stimulate local economies and boost national tourism.

Philippines

Incentive: 20 percent cash rebate capped at P25 million (approximately $450,000) based on a project’s production expenses

United States – California

Incentive: 35 percent base tax credit capped at a P60 million (approximately $980,000) production budget

United Arab Emirates

Incentive: 30 percent refundable tax credit based on a maximum budget of P300 million for film (approximately 18,000,000 AED) and P60 million (approximately 3,600,000 AED) for TV

South Korea

Incentive: 25 to 30 percent rebate for production expenses capped at P28M (approximately W700,000,000)