Carl Papa’s ‘58th’ wins big at Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand

“58th” earns global acclaim, shines spotlight on Maguindanao massacre justice fight.

Filipino filmmaker Carl Papa’s animated documentary “58th” has won the “Facing the Edge” award at the prestigious 21st Doc Edge Film Festival in New Zealand, organizers announced.

The category recognizes films that “take you to the boundary of justice, technology, love, and what it means to be human in a shifting world.”

“58th” tells the story of a daughter’s fight to have her father recognized as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre—one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in history.

Doc Edge is an Academy Award-qualifying international documentary film festival, with this year’s edition running from June 24 to July 12. The award was accepted by producer Nessa Valdellon, who is also senior vice president for GMA Pictures.

In a message to radar Entertainment, Papa said he was “very honored to be recognized by Doc Edge,” noting that the film was created to remind audiences of a painful chapter in Philippine history.

“We made this film with the hope of reminding people about our dark history so that we never repeat it,” he said.

Papa added that the international recognition gives the film’s advocacy a wider reach.

“This recognition is incredibly important because it gives our advocacy a global platform. It helps us raise awareness about what happened, especially for the younger generation and for people around the world who might be oblivious to this part of our past,” he said.

Papa described the documentary as more than a historical retelling, but an “active, living record of truth,” particularly at a time when facts can be easily distorted.

“In an era where history is easily distorted, documentaries stand as crucial evidence that cannot be erased. We hope this win amplifies that truth and directly helps in Reynafe Castillo’s ongoing fight for justice,” Papa said.

The filmmaker also underscored the importance of supporting documentary filmmaking in the Philippines.

“Filipino documentary filmmakers have vital, urgent stories to tell, and these films are essential because they shed light on critical issues, both new and old, that the world needs to see,” he said.

Papa dedicated the award to Reynafe Castillo, her father Bebot Momay, and all the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

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