The Philippines has selected Rafael Manuel's *Filipiñana* as its official submission for best international feature at the 99th Academy Awards, marking Manuel's feature directorial debut after a strong run on the festival circuit. The film, a class satire set at an exclusive Manila-area golf club, has already won recognition at Sundance and the Berlinale, though the Philippines has never secured an Oscar nomination in this category despite decades of submissions.

The story follows Isabel, a 17-year-old rural migrant working as a "tee girl" at the club, whose fascination with its patriarchal president exposes hidden violence tied to both national history and her own past. The film grew from Manuel's 2020 short of the same name, which won a Silver Bear at Berlin, and is executive produced by Chinese director Jia Zhangke. It is currently rolling out in US cinemas via Kino Lorber, having opened in New York on 28 August; the Oscar shortlist is due 15 December, with nominations following on 21 January ahead of the ceremony on 14 March 2027.