By Julian-Ray Fortaleza
Vancouver’s Filipino community has four exciting offerings to look forward to at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival. Leading the pack is the Philippines’ official submission to this year’s Oscars, Magellan, which stars international icon Gael Garcia Bernal as the Portuguese explorer on his journey through the Philippine islands. With sweeping visuals and a high-profile cast, Magellan is already gaining attention for its take on colonial history and the legacy of that fateful voyage.
Also making its North American premiere is Treasure of the Rice Terraces, a documentary about one of the Philippines’ most beloved cultural icons, Apo Whang-Od. Known as the last mambabatok, or traditional tattoo artist, Whang-Od has become a living symbol of Indigenous artistry and resilience. The film offers an intimate look at her life in the remote village of Buscalan, capturing how her craft continues to draw people from around the world.
The 44th edition of VIFF was announced earlier this month, with over 170 feature films and more than 100 shorts screening across 10 venues around Metro Vancouver. It’s shaping up to be one of the biggest years yet, with major international features and a strong spotlight on diverse, global storytelling. Filipino and Filipino-Canadian voices are once again part of that growing conversation.
Among the international shorts, Bleat! stands out as a Malaysia–Philippines–France co-production directed by Ananth Subramaniam. In just 16 minutes, it presents a quietly powerful story about an elderly couple whose plans to sacrifice their male goat are disrupted when they discover it’s pregnant. The short uses this unexpected twist to explore themes of tradition, belief, and the complex moral questions that can arise from everyday life.
Another standout is Renoir, a co-production between Japan, France, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Qatar. Directed by Chie Hayakawa, the film follows 11-year-old Fuki, whose calm curiosity anchors a moving portrait of childhood. Her story reflects the kind of tender, introspective filmmaking that has become a hallmark of VIFF’s Showcase section, and the film’s multinational roots are a reminder of how deeply interconnected the world of cinema has become.
Filipino representation at VIFF continues to expand, and 2025 offers a particularly rich lineup. From sweeping historical epics to deeply personal documentaries and thought provoking shorts, this year’s festival showcases the diversity and depth of Filipino storytelling on the global stage.
ReyFort Media 
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