Brillante Mendoza's award-winning movie Mindanao has been selected as the Philippines' official entry to the 93rd edition of the Academy Awards, famously known as the Oscars, under the International Feature Film category. The news was announced by the Film Academy of the Philippines through a Facebook post.
Starring Judy Ann Santos and Allen Dizon, Mindanao centers its story on a Muslim mother caring for her cancer-striken daughter, while waiting for soldier husband to come back after being deployed as a combat medic. The film also showcased animation based around the Maguindanaon folklore of the sons of Sultan Nabi, Rajah Indara Patra, and Rajah Sulayman, juxtoposed with struggles of the characters throughout the movie.
In 2019, the film was shown in different film festivals around the globe including Egypt, Japan, and Korea. In December that year, the movie became and official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Mindanao garnered a number accolades from local award-giving bodies. Judy Ann's performance and Brillante's directorial skill bagged honors at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival in 2019.
The Academy Awards 2021 will take place on April 25, 2021 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.