# The Philippines sends a golf club satire to the Oscars

> A debut feature shot inside a Manila golf club is the country's bid for best international feature.
- Title: The Philippines sends a golf club satire to the Oscars
- Summary: A debut feature shot inside a Manila golf club is the country's bid for best international feature. Rafael Manuel's 'Filipiñana' is the Philippines'…
- Keywords: oscars, philippines, filipiñana, world cinema, film festivals, sends, golf, club, satire, The Hollywood Reporter
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/philippines-rafael-manuel-filipinana-2027-oscars-1236700190
- Author: Patrick Brzeski
- Published: 2026-09-14T02:14:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: oscars, philippines, filipiñana, world cinema, film festivals
## The Philippines makes its pick
The country has chosen Rafael Manuel's 'Filipiñana' as its submission for best international feature at the 99th Academy Awards.
## A satire about class
The film is a formally striking class satire, set entirely inside the world of a swanky golf club near Manila.

> a formally striking class satire set within the confines of a swanky Manila-area golf club
## A first feature
'Filipiñana' is Manuel's debut as a feature director, going straight from first film to national Oscar entry.
## A prize at Sundance
It premiered in Sundance's world cinema competition in January and won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision.
## Berlin liked it too
The European premiere came in the Berlinale's section for debut features, where the reviews were strong.
## Festival buzz into the race
A well received circuit run is what carried the film into Oscar contention, giving it a profile before voters ever see it.
## Key takeaway

Rafael Manuel's 'Filipiñana' is the Philippines' submission for best international feature at the 99th Academy Awards, after a strong festival run.