Photo credit: Filipiniana Film

Global audiences are taking notice of Philippine cinema, and no film highlights this better than Filipiñana. The 2026 Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award winner is now captivating critics and viewers at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2026) with its quiet intensity and striking visuals.

Directed and written by Rafael Manuel, Filipiñana marks his feature debut, expanding on the short film that had already earned international acclaim. Set in the manicured grounds of a Manila country club, it follows Isabel, a 17-year-old “tee-girl,” as she navigates the polished spaces of the club and uncovers the social tensions beneath its serene surface. The film deftly explores class, power, and inequality, blending emotional resonance with subtle suspense.

Critics have praised its visual precision, immersive atmosphere, and storytelling that speaks as much through what is seen as what is said. Its selection in Berlinale’s Perspectives section underscores the film’s innovative approach and Manuel’s emergence as a bold new voice in Filipino cinema.

Already generating international buzz, Filipiñana secured a North American distribution deal with Kino Lorber, demonstrating that Filipino stories rooted in local culture can resonate globally. For European audiences, it is an invitation to experience Philippine filmmaking at its finest — sophisticated, socially aware, and impossible to ignore.