The animated Filipino-Ilokano film “Iti Mapukpukaw” (The Missing) is the Philippines’ official bid for the 96th Academy Awards. Officially receiving the title as the nation’s entrant for the Best International Feature Film Category, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced its candidacy during the closing ceremony of the Philippine Film Industry Month at the Acacia Hotel Manila, Muntinlupa City last Friday, September 29, 2023.
YouTube: PROJECT 8 PROJECTS
Starring Carlo Aquino (Love You Long Time), Gio Gahol (Sila-sila), and Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness), “Iti Mapukpukaw” follows the narrative of Eric, an animator with no mouth, coming across a “familiar” alien post the passing of his uncle. These unusual circumstances resulted in his recollection of his past and untangling his memories.
Produced in-house by Manila film production company PROJECT 8 PROJECTS, the 1-hour and 30-minute release debuted at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival last August 4-13, 2023, directed by software engineer Carl Joseph E. Papa. “Iti Mapukpukaw” received the festival’s Best Film and NETPAC honors, recognized as the first animated film to achieve the feat.
