PH film ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ chosen as official entry to Oscars 2024

Screencap from Project 8 Projects/YouTube

Fresh from its Best Film win at the 2023 Cinemalaya Philippine Film Festival, Carl Joseph E. Papa’s animated masterpiece “Iti Mapukpukaw” (“The Missing”) is set to represent the Philippines at the 96th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film Category. This significant milestone comes as a testament to the film’s groundbreaking storytelling and impact.

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, “Iti Mapukpukaw” is a Filipino-Ilocano rotoscope animated film that tells the story of Eric, a young animator whose life takes unexpected turns following the arrival of a familiar alien and the passing of his uncle. At Cinemalaya 2023, it not only secured the coveted Best Film award but also earned Dolly De Leon the Best Supporting Actress recognition.

The film has been widely praised for its storytelling and use of rotoscope animation to explore themes of healing, friendship, and young love. Its nuanced narrative resonated with audiences and critics alike, leading to additional recognition with the NETPAC Award.

In an unprecedented move for Philippine cinema, “Iti Mapukpukaw” is the first animated full-length entry in Cinemalaya’s history. This achievement highlights the film’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of animation and its potential to tackle adult themes.

To bolster the film’s campaign for the prestigious Oscars, the Film Development Council of the Philippines has pledged support through its Oscars Assistance Program, contributing P1,000,000 to Papa and his team.

“Iti Mapukpukaw” is a product of dedication and collaboration, involving a youth-led team and 90 local animators who dedicated over a year and seven months to bring this cinematic gem to life. Apart from its awards and accolades, the film also became the highest-grossing entry at the Cinemalaya 2023 festival.

The prestigious Oscars ceremony is scheduled on Mar. 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.