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Mandaluyong City, Philippines, September 1, 2025 – The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is proud to announce that Lav Diaz’s Magellan has been selected as the official Philippine submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The selection was made by a committee of Filipino film industry experts approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and convened by the Film Academy of the Philippines. The criteria for selection include aesthetic and technical excellence, embodiment of Filipino value and culture, international appeal, and the capability of the producer to mount an extensive campaign for Academy shorlisting (December 2025) and nomination (February 2026). The Selection Committee chose from seven local strong contenders and ultimately Magellan was chosen to represent the Philippines on the world stage.
The selection was announced at the opening of Philippine Film Industry Month celebrations organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) this afternoon at the Red Carpet Cinema, Shangrila Plaza.
Undersecretary Paolo Villaluna, Director-General of the Film Academy, made this statement:
“The Film Academy of the Philippines is immensely excited to announce Lav Diaz’s Magellan as our official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards,” he said.
“Magellan is a powerful, poetic film and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Director Lav, Producer Paul Soriano, and the entire cast and crew. We recognize that Magellan’s Oscars journey is only just beginning, and we stand ready to support the film. The Film Academy will work closely with them to navigate the intricacies of the Oscars campaign, and will provide government assistance when needed to ensure their vision is shared with the world.”
Magellan is the story of 16th century Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan—and the Filipino captured by slave traders in Malacca, who will eventually end up in Magellan’s service. The film provides an uncompromising perspective on history, chronicling the final months of the explorer’s life before his death in the island of Mactan. The titular figure is not portrayed as a hero, rather, Diaz presents him as a man “facing his own oblivion,” challenging the familiar narrative to reveal uncomfortable historical realities. The film stars Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, as well as Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Bong Cabrera, and Hazel Orencio. It was produced by Paul Soriano and Mark Victor, and line produced by Bianca Trinidad.
Magellan was shot in the Philippines, Portugal and Spain, and premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it received a five-minute standing ovation. The film has been acquired for distribution by Luxbox Films for world sales and by Janus Films—one of the world’s most prestigious distributors—in North America. Its international marketing will be handled by key US awards agencies like Cinetic Marketing, which promoted films that include International Feature Film category winners Parasite and Drive my Car. Magellan will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival next month. It will screen in the Philippines beginning September 10.
Praise for Magellan:
“The spirit of slow cinema is alive and languid in this stunningly mounted, politically rigorous work, which confronts any viewers hoping for a sweeping biographical romp with a frank post-colonial perspective, thoroughly and violently dismantling any romanticized legacy trailing the eponymous Portuguese navigator.” – Variety
“[T]his exquisitely crafted feature may be one of the director’s most accessible works to date. … a loud statement about the colonial mindset both then and now.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“Diaz’s confrontational film proves one of his most fascinating achievements: a hypnotizing historical and spiritual epic that’s immersive in a way that few decades-spanning stories successfully pull off.” – IndieWire
“Lav Diaz’s Magellan is a Hypnotic, Unambiguous Exploration of the Horrors of Colonization.” – The Film Stage
About the director:
Lav Diaz, a singular voice in contemporary filmmaking, has risen to become a global cinema icon alongside filmmakers like Bela Tarr, Hong Sang Soo, and Apitchatpong Weerasethakul. Diaz’s unflinching explorations of Philippine history and sociopolitical realities, often blending personal narratives with broader national traumas, have earned him widespread acclaim and has won for the Philippines numerous awards, including the Golden Leopard at Locarno, the Silver Bear at Berlinale, and the Golden Lion at Venice.
Known for his immersive, lengthy works, Diaz’s films offer a deeply contemplative viewing experience, challenging audiences to reflect on the complexities of the human condition. Key films include Evolution of a Filipino Family (2004), Norte, the End of History (2013), From What Is Before (2014), and The Woman Who Left (2016).
Through his striking visual style and unwavering commitment to truth-telling, Diaz has established himself as a master storyteller, consistently challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, oppression, and the enduring strength of the human spirit within a society shaped by both its past and present struggles.
About the Film Academy of the Philippines:
Established in 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines serves as the umbrella organization for film professionals in the Philippines, tasked with promoting the welfare, training, and representation of film industry professionals.
Recognizing cinema’s cultural significance and economic contribution, and seeing a need to modernize the role of the Film Academy, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos signed Executive Order No.70 s. 2024 “promoting the development of the Philippine film industry, strengthening the Film Academy of the Philippines,” turning it into a government agency and underlining the national government’s commitment to champion cinema and the creative industries.
The revamped Film Academy focuses on key initiatives: supporting industry professionalization, skills development, labor and welfare benefits, film awards and recognition, and strategic support for Oscars and international recognition. By developing and protecting its workforce, the Film Academy intends to improve Philippine industry practices and skills, with the aim of making it the leading audiovisual soft power in Southeast Asia.