Lav Diaz’s ‘Magellan’ to premiere in Australia as he holds in-person talks across the country

“Magellan” is also set to join the Criterion Collection in June.

Filipino auteur Lav Diaz’s historical epic “Magellan” will have its first-ever theatrical release in Australia on April 23.

“Magellan,” a biopic about the titular Portuguese explorer, has garnered significant international acclaim, even winning best picture at the 2025 Valladolid International Film Festival. It also served as the Philippines’ entry to the 2026 Academy Awards or Oscars, though didn’t make it to the nominations stage.

During his film’s opening week, Australian media reported that Diaz will hold in-person conversations at Ritz Cinemas in Sydney on April 22, the Australian Cinematheque in Brisbane on April 23, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image on April 26.

From the outback to the Criterion shelf

The ACMI has also began screening Diaz’s works earlier this year: “Phantosmia” on February 28, “Evolution of a Filipino Family (Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino)” on March 14, “Melancholia” on March 28, and “Norte, the End of History (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)” on April 11.

His other films to be screened by the ACMI include “From What is Before (Mula sa kung Ano ang Noon)” on April 25, “Magellan” on April 26, “A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis)” on May 9, and “The Woman Who Left (Siglo ng Pagluluwal)” on May 23.

Just last March, Diaz’s historical epic “Magellan” was announced to join the Criterion Collection, the home-video distributor known for curating landmark arthouse films in physical formats. It will be released on Blu-ray ($23.96; about ₱1,400) and DVD ($19.96; about ₱1,200) on June 23.

The inclusion is notable, especially after the film failed to make the shortlist for International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars last December. For many cinephiles, however, a place in the Criterion catalog can be just as meaningful. The meticulous company adds only about 50 to 60 titles annually to its library of more than 1,600 films, offering Diaz broader global exposure beyond traditional accolades.