Lav Diaz's 'Magellan' has been selected as the Philippines' entry to the 98th Academy Awards for the best international feature film category, as announced at the opening night of the Philippine Film Industry Month held at the Shangri-La Cineplex in Mandaluyong. Photo from MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
Acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz's historical piece "Magellan" has been selected as the Philippines' submission to the 98th Academy Awards, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced Monday.
The FDPC made the joint announcement with the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) through a post on its Facebook page, saying Diaz's "Magellan" would be the country's submission to the awards ceremony, commonly known as the Oscars, for the best international feature film category.
To support the film's Oscars campaign, the FDCP will grant P1 million to Diaz and his team through its Oscars Assistance Program, the government body said.
READ: Gael Garcia Bernal retells Philippine history in Lav Diaz's 'Magellan'
"Magellan" bested six other films in the short-list -- "Green Bones," "Food Delivery," "Hello Love Again" "Sunshine," "Some Nights I Feel Like Walking" and "Song of the Fireflies."
Artistic and technical excellence, the film's embodiment of Filipino values and culture, and its reflection of Filipino society were among the factors considered in the selection, FAP director general Paolo Villaluna said at the opening of Philippine Film Industry Month, where the country's entry was also announced.
The selection committee also considered the film's international appeal, Villaluna said.
"Alam natin ang (We know that the) Oscars is a big marketing machine. You have to entice Academy members to actually watch your film," he said.
The film features Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal playing the titular role of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portugese explorer who set sail in the early 1500s across the Atlantic in search of Far East riches.
Magellan, who was sponsored by the Spanish crown, died at the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, killed in combat by warriors said to be led by Lapulapu.
In his film, Diaz, known as a practitioner of slow cinema with his longest film running up to 11 hours, puts forward a theory that Lapulapu was an invention of a monarch from a neighboring island.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and will be screened in Philippine cinemas beginning September 10.
The Academy will announce the shortlists for the Oscars on December 16, followed by the unveiling of nominees on January 22, 2026. The 98th Oscars ceremony is set for March 15, 2026.
— With a report from Agence France-Presse and MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News