'58th' team ready for Oscars 2027 campaign stress
MANILA, Philippines — "58th" may not be the Philippines' official entry to the 2027 Academy Awards, but the animated Maguindanao Massacre docu-drama will still do its best to represent the country in the awards circuit.
Carl Joseph Papa's film was shortlisted by the Film Academy of the Philippines as the country's possible submission in the Best International Feature Film category of the Oscars. A National Selection Comittee, however, opted for Rafael Manuel's "Filipiñana" instead.
Hope remains for "58th" as the the agency will supports its campaign to be shortlisted and hopefully nominated in the Best Documentary category of the Academy Awards, perhaps even in other awarding bodies.
The docu-drama takes its name from photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, whose body was never found after the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre.
Papa and his co-writer Aica Riz Gahinhin utilize rotoscope animation to re-enact conversations and recollections of Momay’s daughter, Reynafe Castillo, alongside archive footage in the aftermath of the horrific massacre.
Glaiza de Castro plays the role of Castillo, while Momay is portrayed by the late Ricky Davao in his last-ever credit role following his death last year.
"58th" screened in several international film festivals, including Rotterdam and Annecy, before making its Philippine premiere during the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last August.
Related: Philippines to campaign for ‘58th,’ ‘Agapito’ for Oscars 2027
Better prepared
Philstar.com exclusively spoke to Papa and producer Nessa Valdellon last September 13 after "58th" was confirmed to receive Academy support.
Valdellon is optimistic that the film will do well in the documentary race. She noted how it was a contender for the Philippine entry but acknowledged the well-prepared campaign of the other Oscar hopeful, "Filipiñana."
"We're so impressed by what ['Filipiñana' has] done so okay lang," the producer added. "Also, hindi naman namin ginawa 'yung movie para mag-Oscars, it was never in my mind."
Papa is no stranger to Oscar campaigning. He did the Oscar rout in 2023 for his animated movie "Iti Mapukpukaw," which was that edition's Philippine entry.
As it stands, no Filipino film has been nominated or even shortlisted for the International Feature Film category of the Academy Awards.
Industry leaders predicted, however, that before last year's Philippine entry "Magellan," Papa's "Iti Mapukpukaw" had the best chance to reach the shortlist. Thus, Philstar.com asked Papa if he was ready for another round of stress.
"Hindi, pero we're going to do it!" the director quipped, adding the team will try to meet the requirements first.
Related: '58th' review: Quest for justice continues for Maguindanao Massacre victims
Papa also said that being backed by the Academy was a bonus, "'Yung mga stories naman na kinikwento ko at mga pinapalabas na pelikula, it's for people to see. Everything na nangyayari like Oscar campaigns, festivals, or being considered elsewhere, bonus lang siya."
The filmmaker jokingly reflected on how tiring Oscar campaigning can get but reiterated how valuable it was that more people see the film, whether its the general public or industry voters. It is this pressure that made the team work to market "58th" as much as possible.
Valdellon, who was an executive producer on "Iti Mapukpukaw," said that the Academy support this year will make a big difference. She recalled how minimal the 2023 movie's campaign budget was but still managed to draw attention.
Screening, streaming
"58th" only got greenlit for a theatrical public screening following a reapplication by its producers to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), giving it an R16 rating and a limited permit to screen only until September 23.
Valdellon confirmed to Philstar.com that the docu-drama will only publicly screen in Shangri-la Plaza — where it originally premiered — from September 16 to 22.
The producer explained that the MTRCB believes the content of "58th" is sub judice and "want to keep it as small possible."
She still expressed gratitude to the agency for granting the limited permit after the team "really humbled" themselves. Papa added applying yet again was "a battle for another day" but they are happy with the chance given to them to screen the movie to a wider audience.
"58th" will still find life in the Philippines through school screenings. As part of its campaigning, it will continue making the festival rounds with an appearance in next month's Busan International Film Festival already lined up.
Valdellon also confirmed to Philstar.com that the team is coordinating with a streaming platform for "58th" to reach even more audiences.
RELATED: Maguindanao Massacre film '58th' cleared by MTRCB for limited wide release
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