Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has given the thumbs up to the historic 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "I'mPerfect" for its "remarkable" inclusivity and encouraged everyone to watch the film, produced by Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde of Nathan Studios, co-produced by CMB film services, and directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.

Rep. de Lima said the movie is "very personal" to her because she has a child and grandchild with autism, noting that it was good to have a film that would enhance awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome.

“And the inclusivity of it all is very remarkable, and we need to really understand them. They can do it, you know, they can do it already. They have their own needs, they have their own feelings,” said the lawmaker, who also attended the block screening for the film recently.

De Lima also said the movie tackles the difficulty of accepting that two people with Down syndrome can fall in love, strive for independence, and be left alone.

"And to show the world that they can do it. And they can, in fact, do it. And then, of course, it is all about inclusivity. Kasi siyempre, gone are the days na tinatago natin sila, gone are the days na kinakahiya natin sila, gone are the days that they are considered, you know, a liability. No, they are not at all a liability. And, in fact, they are supposed to be assets, they are blessings," Rep. de Lima said.

She also said that the two leads, Krystel Go and Earl Amaba, can "stand on their own.”

"They can stand on their own, as we can see in the movie. The plot, the storyline of the movie, is very good. It's about, of course, the love story between two people with Down syndrome," De Lima added.

The lawmaker added that the movie is needed to increase awareness on PWDs, especially those with Down syndrome, even urging everyone to be seen by many people to address the challenges affecting the sector.

She also said that she aims to create pieces of legislation that would help the PWD sector, including those with Down syndrome and autism.

De Lima urged everyone to continue watching 'ImPerfect,' as the movie will lecture everyone about inclusivity and changing the mindset of people towards PWDs, including persons with Down syndrome.

"Malaki pong leksyon ang makukuha natin dito, so, please, please. I am inviting you and encouraging you to watch this film, 'I'm Perfect," de Lima said.

Meanwhile, National Council for Disability Affairs Executive Director Glenda Relova said that the movie is a "perfect film" to showcase persons with PWD, especially those with Down syndrome.

"Pero dito ay pinakita po dito na kahit may kapansanan, na-over kami. Nagkakaroon ng resolution ang mga family for as long as nag-uusap sila at talagang naiintindihan nila kung ano yung pinagdadaanan ng kanilang kapamilyang may kapansanan. This is a mind-opener for every person and for every family na hindi natin dapat ikinakahon ng ating pananaw sa isang taong may kapansanan. (But here it is shown that even with disabilities, we are over it. Families can resolve issues as long as they talk and truly understand what their family member with a disability is going through. This is a mind-opener for every person and for every family that we should not box our perspective around a person with a disability)," Relova said.

She also said that the movie deserved its plaudits in the MMFF, including winning Best Picture and Best Actress for Go.

"Kasi kita naman natin yung pagkakagawa ng pelikula, yung istorya maganda, yung sequencing maganda, yung emotion it's very raw, it's very real. Ramdam na ramdam mo. (Because we can see how the film was made, the story is good, the sequencing is good, the emotion is very raw, it's very real. You can really feel it)," Relova said.

She also said that some places in the Philippines, such as Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and Claveria, Misamis Oriental, were also allowed to be showcased in the Movie.

“I’m Perfect," the first Filipino movie featuring a cast of individuals with Down syndrome, won the Best Picture and Jury Prize for Best Ensemble at the 2025 MMFF.