This marks the first time a documentary is submitted as the country’s official Oscar contender.
The latest documentary by award-winning director Ramona Diaz, And So It Begins, is the latest in a series of historic moves for Philippine cinema. It has been nominated as the Philippines’ official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. That decision was made on 25 September 2024 by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
Set against the politically charged backdrop of the 2022 Philippine presidential elections, And So It Begins follows the journeys of two influential figures: Leni Robredo, former Vice President and presidential candidate, and Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and CEO of Rappler. Through these two women, the film explores democracy and freedom of speech in an era of disinformation and political turmoil. Diaz is best known for her critically acclaimed documentary A Thousand Cuts.
The documentary tracks Robredo’s grassroots “pink” movement that propelled her presidential bid against eventual winner Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but also documents Ressa’s struggle for press freedom amid fake news. The film documents a nation struggling with its political future amid widespread disinformation. Diaz spins these parallel stories to reflect on the personal and national costs of standing for what is right.
FAP’s submission of And So It Begins to the Oscars is especially significant because it is the first time a documentary is representing the Philippines at the prestigious awards. This move comes after last year’s submission of the animated film Iti Mapukpukaw, signaling a step forward of what the Philippine cinema can offer on the international stage. With this submission, the Philippines is making history again, as the Academy wrote in its statement, suggesting how the documentary’s global appeal might boost its chances with Academy voters.


In her director’s note, Diaz explains that the documentary is about more than just political campaigns; it is about the stories that shape our understanding of history. “How do we reclaim democratic space from an authoritarian regime at a time of disinformation?” she asks. “When fear and helplessness rule, people are drawn to mythic figures, strongmen, and magic.”
Following its premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, And So It Begins is poised to screen at various international festivals. This exposure is crucial as it introduces the documentary to a broader audience and enhances its visibility among Academy voters. The film opened on August 21 and has enjoyed a successful six-week run in theaters, buoyed by block screenings and continued support from volunteer groups.
In a review of the film by The Post contributing writer Eric Cabahug, And So It Begins is described as “a living, breathing document of the country’s recent history.” Cabahug notes that the film goes beyond mere nostalgia for the People’s Movement or a hagiography of Robredo. Instead, it explores the complexities of modern-day political battles, particularly how technology and social media have played into shaping public perception. He adds that Diaz’s refusal to turn the film into feel-good propaganda is what makes it so powerful. “It’s not a memorial,” Cabahug writes. “It’s a reckoning with the present and the forces that threaten democracy today.”


Expectations build for the Oscars race as the film winds its way around the international festival circuit. A shortlist will be announced for the International Feature Film category on 17 December 2024, and the final five nominees on 17 January 2025.
But And So It Begins is not just about a failed presidential campaign or a nation in crisis; Diaz said in her talkback session following the film’s Philippine premiere. “Stay engaged.” And for a country and a world battling disinformation, political unrest and eroded democratic institutions, the film is a reminder that the struggle for truth and justice is by no means over.