Oscars race begins: FAP sets July 31 as deadline for PH film submission

FAP chief Paolo Villaluna urges producers to act fast as “Biyaheng Oscars” press con highlights funding, strategy, and global push.

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is urging producers to submit their films for consideration as the country’s official entry to the Academy Awards, with the deadline set on July 31.

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference titled “Biyaheng Oscars: The Pinoy Oscars Pursuit,” FAP director general Paolo Villaluna stressed the importance of meeting the timeline to ensure the Philippines remains competitive in the global awards race.

“The crux of today’s press conference is the Oscar selection process. We need to inform our producers on the deadlines, so they can apply,” Villaluna said.

The July 31 cutoff allows the FAP to select and announce the country’s entry by September—an advantage Villaluna said could help generate early international attention. “The earlier we are in the world, the better. So Variety can write about us as a standalone and not part of a cluster,” he explained to radar Entertainment.

Beyond simply choosing a strong film, Villaluna emphasized that mounting a successful Oscar campaign requires strategy, resources, and industry know-how.

“I will always stress that the baseline is a good Filipino film. And we have that,” he said. “The next step… is the ability to actually campaign. You have the capacity to campaign in Hollywood. It is a different monster.”

He pointed out the need for coordinated efforts such as email outreach to Academy voters, screenings in Los Angeles, and engagement through official Academy platforms. Partnerships with North American distributors and experienced publicists also play a crucial role.

“So yes, the know-how, the strategy is a big factor,” he added, citing past efforts where Filipino films tapped industry guilds abroad to build visibility.

To support these campaigns, Villaluna revealed that the national government is ramping up assistance for Filipino films vying for international recognition. A proposed funding matrix could grant up to P25 million for the selected Best International Feature entry.

“We actually ask for a working financial plan from either the publicist or the producer, and then the office reviews it—what’s allowable and not allowable,” he explained.

While the Oscars remain the primary focus, Villaluna noted that the FAP is also open to supporting campaigns for other major international awards, including the Golden Globes and the Emmys.

“The idea here is to magnify that the Filipino voice and talent is not just globally competitive but we are one of the best,” he said.

At the same time, Villaluna underscored the importance of strict compliance with Academy rules, warning that violations—such as breaches of confidentiality involving the selection committee—could lead to disqualification.

“The selection committee has an NDA and should remain anonymous. If it becomes public, it becomes grounds for disqualification. And we do not want that to happen,” he said.

He also recalled a past instance when the Philippines was disqualified due to submitting a film that failed to meet eligibility requirements, including having less than the required percentage of Filipino creative involvement.

“So those basic rules, we should know,” he said. “Because what happens when you get disqualified, you have to apply again… It’s a long process.”

Apart from the Oscars push, Villaluna said the FAP is also prioritizing initiatives that benefit industry workers, including the rollout of a grievance portal and expanded programs for both creatives and producers.

“My first priority is the workers,” he said. “We create the right infrastructure for the workers, especially now that the Film Academy is under new leadership.”

With increased government backing and a renewed push for global recognition, Villaluna expressed hope that the next two years will lay the groundwork for sustained support for the Philippine film industry.

“While they are supportive, we kind of want to really maximize it,” he said. “So the next two years… we’re hoping to really institute the foundation so that even in the future, the support continues.”

As the July 31 deadline approaches, the call is clear: for Filipino filmmakers with both a compelling film and a viable campaign strategy, the road to the Oscars starts now.

READ: