September 2, 2025
MANILA – Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” is sailing to the Oscars, as it was announced as the Philippines’ official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on Monday, Sept. 1, at the Edsa Shangri-La Mall.
In a brief speech, Diaz admitted that while bringing the historical film to life was “difficult,” it was the its message of understanding one’s past that became a poignant reminder to him.
“1521 pa [nagsimula] ang paggawa ng pelikula… ang hirap ipaliwanag kung paano namin natapos. Ang hirap din ng ‘Magellan,’ napakahirap. Muntik pa akong mamatay,” he said. “Nand’un ang kamalayan para [magpursige] kang matapos, nand’un ang vision, sa’kin ang ‘Magellan’ is [a reminder na] balikan ang nakaraan para makahakbang ang ating bayan.”
(The creation of the film started as early as 1521. It’s hard to explain how we finished the film. “Magellan” was hard to do. I almost died. Yet it is the reminder that pushed me to finish it. The vision is there. For me, “Magellan” is a reminder to remember our past for our country to move forward.)
Meanwhile, FDCP chair Jose Javier Reyes admitted that with the bounty of films vying to be the Philippines’ official submission for the Best International Feature Film category, they were presented with a “good problem.” But, it was the “meaningful voice of “Magellan” that made it rise above the rest.
“It’s a really good problem if you have such a difficult time deciding which film you’re going to sell. But it was decided — and it is Lav Diaz’s ‘Magellan.’ For the very simple reason, I just want to reiterate what Lav said, you cannot find a direction for the future unless you understand your past,” he said.
“You cannot understand what is happening in the present without having the context of our history. What better choice than to give a tribute to a film that is supposedly, allegedly, a man who discovered the Philippines?” continued Reyes.
In support of Diaz’s Oscars campaign, the FDCP announced that it would grant him and his team P1 million through the government-led Oscars Assistance Program.
Other films in contention for the Philippines’ official entry are Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine,” Zig Dulay’s “Green Bones,” Cathy Garcia Sampana’s “Hello, Love, Again,” Baby Ruth Villarama’s “Food Delivery,” Petersen Vargas’ “Some Nights I Feel Like Walking,” and King Palisoc’s “Song of the Fireflies.”
‘Masalimuot’
In a separate interview before the announcement, the FDCP chair admitted that the selection process is taxing since it needs to be “veted” by the Academy “from the members of the screening committee who will determine the national entry, all the way down to the entries which will be assessed.”
Reyes also clarified that the selection was spearheaded by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), while his role as the FDCP chair is to support the agency. He also pointed out that the selection committee is composed of “reputable and credible” directors, writers, and an editor, although he didn’t identify who they were out of confidentiality.
“It’s not enough that you have an aesthetically a good movie. You must be able to mount a campaign because the competition is going to be tight the moment mapipili ang pelikula mo (your film will be chosen),” he said.
“May ilang pelikula na inaakala namin na dapat i-assess pero hindi sinubmit ng mga producer. May ilang pelikula na sana sinubmit pero nakita namin ang priority ng producer kung ano isusubmit nila and ano ang kanilang ikakampanya… as chairman of the jury, I do not vote unless there’s a tie. There was a tie,” he continued.
(There are films that we thought will be assessed but it was not submitted by the producer. There are certain films that we hoped would be submitted, but it was not the priority of the producer what will be submitted and what they would campaign for. As chairman of the jury, I do not vote unless there’s a tie. There was a tie.)
Set in the 16th century, “Magellan” tells the story of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (portrayed by Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal), who rebelled against the King of Portugal after his goal to explore the world was rejected, prompting him to serve King Philip of Spain from whom the Philippines was named.
Upon discovering the Philippines, Magellan’s dream of discovering the world was tarnished by his desperation for control, which ultimately spiralled into a violent battle.
Also part of the film’s cast are Angela Azevedo, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Hazel Orencio, Tomas Alves, and Bong Cabrera, to name a few.
“Magellan” premiered at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival last May. It is set to hit Philippine theaters on September 10.