‘Forgotten Island’ shows how a 15-year bond—captured in a BTS video—became a glimpse of Pinoy pride

Liza Soberano and H.E.R. highlight the film’s heart, as a BTS clip shared by Lea Salonga offers a closer look.

At the heart of DreamWorks’ upcoming animated film “Forgotten Island” is not just a story of magic and mythology, but a real-life friendship that brought it to life.

For directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, the film began with something deeply personal. “We had been friends for 15 years,” Mercado shared, grounding the film’s origins in a long-standing creative partnership. Crawford echoed this, adding that the project was born from their shared vision to create something “truly original in every sense of the work.”

Beyond originality, the story carries emotional weight. Mercado revealed that they intentionally centered the narrative on the impact of loved ones—how relationships shape who we become. That same theme reflects the directors’ own journey, turning their friendship into a creative force that now amplifies Filipino culture on a global stage.

From bond to big screen

For Crawford, the experience is as meaningful as the film itself. “This is funny and personal… and honestly, doing it with such a great friend—it’s such a dream come true,” he said. 

That sense of connection extends beyond the directors. The cast, including Liza Soberano, H.E.R., and Jo Koy, felt that same spirit throughout the project.

A behind-the-scenes clip from the project, shared by cast member and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, shows Soberano explaining how the directors’ bond influenced the entire team. She said it made the production feel like “one big friend group”—a dynamic that inspired everyone to bring their best. Meanwhile, H.E.R. noted how that authenticity translated onscreen: “You can just tell they put their whole heart into this film.”

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