'Forgotten Island,' Lea Salonga retrospective among MIFF 2026 lineup
MANILA, Philippines — The first batch of films running at this year's Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) have been unveiled, led by an advanced screening of upcoming animated movie "Forgotten Island."
Film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and industry panels highlight the third-ever MIFF from September 3 to 6, 2026 at Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theater, culminating with an awards gala at the Beverly Hilton.
Festival executive producer Lisa Lew said in a statement that the first batch of movies "reflects the breadth of Filipino filmmaking today, from a major studio film inspired by Philippine folklore to independent features and documentaries exploring our history, identity, and communities."
Lew added that the festival will carry on making a significant platform in Hollywood for Filipino filmmakers and across the diaspora to share their work.
"What makes MIFF special is that audiences do not just see the films, they interact with them through meeting the filmmakers and casts, hearing the stories behind the work and taking part in a larger celebration of our creative community," said festival producer Winston Emano.
Special events
"Forgotten Island," inspired by Filipino folklore and mythology, will screen at the festival three weeks before it goes wide in global theaters.
Best friends Raissa and Jo (Liza Soberano and H.E.R, respectively) end up stranded in the mystical world of the forgotten island of Nakali, where the only way home may mean losing a lifetime of memories and emotions.
Also lending their voices in the film are Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, Filipino-American actress Amielynn Abellera, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng.
Related: BINI, Liza Soberano hit San Diego Comic-Con for 'Forgotten Island'
Another special screening at this year's MIFF is Carl Joseph Papa's "58th," an animated documentary on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre told through the family of Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, a photojournalist whose remains were never recovered.
The film is headlined by Glaiza de Castro and Ricky Davao in his final onscreen appearance as Bebot's daughter, Maria Reynafe Castillo, and the photojournalist himself.
The previously mentioned Lea will be honored with the MIFF Icon Award during the closing night awards gala, as well as a short retrospective of the award-winning actress.
MIFF will screen Olivia Lamasan's "Sana Maulit Muli," where Lea starred opposite Aga Muhlach, as well as Abigail Hing Wen's hybrid short film "The Vale: Origins" in honor of Lea.
The festival also confirmed that Lea will receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame later this year, becoming the first Filipina ever to do so.
Premieres
Featured in the first batch of MIFF 2026 movies are films making their world premieres, as well as first-time screenings in the Hollywood or Los Angeles area.
Leading the world premieres is the documentary "Eddie Romero Remastered: A Century of Filipino Cinema" by Chuck Gutierrez and Baby Ruth Villarama, the filmmakers behind "Sunday Beauty Queen" and "Food Delivery."
The documentary will take a close look at the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, whom Oscar-winning director Quentin Tarantino has cited as a major influence, from Romero's early films like "The Raiders of Leyte Gulf" and "Hanggang May Kalaban" to icons such as "Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?" and "Aguila."
Related: Dan Villegas, Sari Dalena lead Cinemalaya 2026 judges
Neal "Buboy" Tan will debut at MIFF his newest film "Kappa-Tiran," a thriller revolving around fraternities and sororities and their banned tradition of hazing, starrring Ejay Falcon, Sheryl Cruz, Aljur Abrenica, Patricia Javier, and Bembol Roco.
Two-time Emmy winner Keesa Ocampo, meanwhile, will premiere "Pinay," which follows a pioneering Bay Area-based vocal group that ushered in the first wave of Asian American contemporary pop music in the '90s.
Jerrold Tarog's "Quezon," starring Jericho Rosales as the titular second president of the Philippines, will hit Hollywood for the first time. Patrick Epino's short film "Veterano" starring Jon Jon Briones will also be screened.
The latter won Briones a Best Performance honor at the recently concluded Fantasia International Film Festival for portraying a World War II veteran in 1981 embarking on a final mission in San Francisco.
Filmmaking couple Randal Kamradt and Maria Luna Kamradt will present their "No Room For Love," a comedy about a Filipino-American family of seven sharing a Los Angeles apartment with each family member eyeing showbiz life.
Concluding the Hollywood premieres is Rick Quan's "Along Comes Larry: The Larry Ramos Story," a documentary on The New Christy Minstrels and The Association ukulele player who became the first Asian-American to win a Grammy.
Three films will be making their Los Angeles premieres led by Raymond Red's "Manila Finest" starring Piolo Pascual, Enrique Gil, and Cedrick Juan as Filipino cops ahead of the First Quarter Storm.
A remastered edition of the Black Eyed Peas' "Bebot: Generation One" by Patricio Ginelsa will be presented for the music video's 20th anniversary.
Capping the premieres is Benito Bautista's documentary "The Road to Sydney" about a Palawan dance master and choreographer traveling to San Francisco as she transitions, loses her job and housing, and returns home to reclaim her art and reconcile with her father.
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