'Iti Mapukpukaw' is the Philippines' entry to the 96th Oscars

“Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing),” the award-winning animated film, is the Philippines’ entry to the 96th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2024.

It was submitted to to the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category, as announced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

“To support its campaign for the prestigious Oscars, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will be giving PHP1,000,000 through its Oscars Assistance Program to Dir. Papa and his team,” the organization said on Facebook.

"Iti Mapukpukaw" was hailed as the Best Film at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023. It also won the NETPAC Award for full-length feature films.

It made history as the festival’s first animated full-length entry. Ninety animators worked on "Iti Mapukpukaw." It was also co-produced by Project 8 and GMA Public Affairs First VP and GMA Pictures Senior Vice President Nessa Valdellon.

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, "Iti Mapukpukaw" is a rotoscope animated film that film follows Eric, a Filipino animator who does not have a mouth. His memories get untangled with the arrival of an alien.

The film stars Carlo Aquino, Dolly de Leon, and Gio Gahol. Dolly won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role.

—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News