Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — The country’s official entry to the Best International Film Category of the 96th Academy Awards “Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)” has made it to Variety’s Oscars predictions.
Variety’s list was divided into four categories: “Predicted Nominees,” “Next in Line,” “Other Top-tier Possibilities,” and “Also in Contention.”
READ: Animated feature ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ picked as PH official entry to Oscars 2024
The first animated full-length feature to compete in Cinemalaya landed at the 23rd spot under the \”Also in Contention\” category.
Antoinette Jadaone, one of the film’s three executive producers, admitted that the current place is still far from securing a spot on the shortlist.
But Jadaone shared that according to X (formerly Twitter), it was the first time Variety ranked a Philippine entry for their annual Oscar predictions.
“The Philippines is a David obviously against the giants in the Oscars but our grassroots efforts are making progress. Kaya natin ‘to! [We can do this!],” she wrote on Instagram.
“Iti Mapukpukaw” won the Best Film in Cinemalaya in August. It also featured Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon, who was hailed as Cinemalaya’s Best Supporting Actress for the film this year.
Cinemalaya 2023: ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ wins Best Film, Dolly de Leon hailed as Best Supporting Actress
