The Filipino-Ilocano animated film, “Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing),” the Cinemalaya Best Film in Full-length Feature and PH’s entry for the Academy Awards’ best international feature film, did not make the cut for the reputable awards.
On December 22, the Philippine official entry was excluded from the list, after the announcement of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of the shortlisted films in 10 categories for Oscars 2024.
The films that made the shortlist are the following:
Armenia, “Amerikatsi”
Bhutan, “The Monk and the Gun”
Denmark, “The Promised Land”
Finland, “Fallen Leaves”
France, “The Taste of Things”
Germany, “The Teachers’ Lounge”
Iceland, “Godland”
Italy, “Io Capitano”
Japan, “Perfect Days”
Mexico, “Totem”
Morocco, “The Mother of All Lies”
Spain, “Society of the Snow”
Tunisia, “Four Daughters”
Ukraine, “20 Days in Mariupol”
United Kingdom, “The Zone of Interest”
Despite the news, Director Antonette Jadaone took to Twitter to thank those who helped and supported the animated film. She also said that it is the highest feat Filipino has reached in predictions.
💔💔💔
BUT!!! It’s the farthest a PH film has reached in predictions, so taas-noo pa rin! Maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumulong 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 https://t.co/kF61820nER
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) December 22, 2023
Filipino social media users also expressed their disappointment upon learning the news.
In September 2023, “Iti Mapukpukaw” became the official entry of the Philippines for the 96th Academy Awards. It also bagged 3 awards from Cinemalaya 2023 in Full-length Feature as Best Film, Best Supporting Actress for Dolly De Leon, and Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC).
The movie’s potential to make it to the Oscars shortlist was strengthened with its inclusion in the list of Top 30 contenders by Variety.
“Iti Mapukpukaw” is a Filipino-Ilocano animated film directed by Carl Joseph E. Papa, featuring Carlo Aquino, Gio Gahol, and Dolly De Leon. It follows the life of an animator, Eric (Carlo Aquino) who literally has no mouth, with twists and turns when an alien appears, as well as the death of his uncle who is outwardly lost.
Director Carl Joseph E. Papa began to write stories according to his life encounters and hopes that the film may be a bridge for the oppressed to speak out.
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