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Rafael Manuel's short film 'Filipiñana' earns special jury award at Sundance 2026

Entertainment | Movies and TV

Rafael Manuel's short film 'Filipiñana' earns special jury award at Sundance 2026

By Carissa Alcantara

The Philippines represents!

Considered one of the largest independent film festivals in the world, the Sundance Film Festival has recognized hundreds of films from around the world. This year, a co-produced Philippine film took home a special award.

(Facebook)

Directed by Rafael Manuel, the short film Filipiñana received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision.

"With stunning visual command and sensitivity to the setting, the filmmaker thoughtfully evokes a world where characters languish. Through its static form, the filmmaker highlights insidious tension between luxury and labor," the jury citation stated.

The film poster of 'Filipinana' (Facebook)

The film poster of 'Filipinana' (Facebook)

The story follows a newly hired tee girl at a golf club who finds herself inexplicably drawn to Dr. Palanca, the country club’s president. However, as she begins to uncover the violent truths hidden beneath the club’s immaculate exterior, she realizes that her initial attraction to Dr. Palanca is tied to a darker, shared past, according to the film’s synopsis.

The film stars Jorrybell Agoto, Carmen Castellanos, Teroy Guzman, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Isabel Sicat, and Nour Houshmand, with Agot Isidro, Angeli Bayani, and Shamaine Buencamino also part of the cast.

Beyond its screening at the Sundance Film Festival, Filipiñana has also been selected for the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.

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