The Ramona Diaz documentary And So It Begins has been officially chosen as the Philippines’ entry for the 97th Academy Awards, widely known as the Oscars, in the Best International Feature Film category.
This nomination marks the first time in the country’s Oscar history that a documentary will represent the Philippines.
The announcement was made by Raymond Diamzon, a special projects officer at the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), who shared photos on social media of Diaz receiving a certificate confirming the selection.
The submission of And So It Begins is a historic moment, breaking a 35-submission streak of narrative films dating back to the Philippines’ first Oscar entry, Genghis Khan in 1954.
The documentary follows the grassroots “pink” movement led by former vice president Atty. Leni Robredo during her 2022 presidential campaign, as well as Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa in her ongoing fight for press freedom.
Ressa, who was also the subject of Diaz’s previous documentary “A Thousand Cuts”, is a key figure in this companion piece, which examines the challenges faced by both women in their respective battles for democracy and truth.
On Saturday, Diaz expressed her deep gratitude for the selection in her Facebook post, writing, “I make documentary films to bear witness and to try to understand the homeland. It’s a complex, messy, endearing, infuriating, and captivating place all at once—as are all exciting places.”
She continued, “Taos pusong pasasalamt, FAP jurors, for this vote of confidence and for showing support for the documentary form. I’m deeply humbled and proud to represent the country as the official entry to the 97th Academy Awards. Nakakaiyak.”
Robredo also celebrated this historic milestone on her official Facebook page, extending her congratulations to Diaz and the entire team behind the film.
“Another milestone for #AndSoItBeginsPH! 💖 Congratulations to the award-winning Filipina filmmaker Ramona Diaz and the entire team for being selected to represent the Philippines at the 97th Academy Awards. 🏆,” former VP Leni wrote.
And So It Begins premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and made its local debut at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival last month.
Its Oscar entry also follows another milestone for Philippine cinema—the submission of “Iti Mapukpukaw”, the country’s first animated film entry, in the previous year.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 2, 2025.
