The biggest wins and memorable moments from MIFF 2026, plus Lea Salonga’s historic Hollywood milestone.
Filipino artists have been making their names internationally for decades, from Lea Salonga’s Tony win for Miss Saigon in 1991 to Brillante Mendoza’s Best Director award for Kinatay at Cannes in 2009. This year’s MIFF celebrations and Salonga’s Hollywood star add to that history, reminding us how much Filipino talent continues to bring to film, music and theater around the world.
Held from September 3 to 6, the Manila Film Festival featured screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre before closing with an awards gala at The Beverly Hilton. From stories rooted in Philippine history to artists breaking new ground abroad, this year’s highlights offered plenty of reasons for us Pinoys to feel extremely proud.
Related story: The 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet looks we love
Manila’s Finest and Quezon take the acting spotlight
Raymond Red’s Manila’s Finest won Best Picture in the Narrative category and Best Cinematography. Ashtine Olviga added Best Actress to the film’s haul for her performance as Agnes Magtibay.
Jericho Rosales took home Best Actor for playing Manuel L. Quezon in Jerrold Tarog’s Quezon. The historical drama also had its Hollywood premiere at the festival, while Manila’s Finest made its Los Angeles debut, bringing two Philippine stories to new audiences.
Related story: Jericho Rosales steps into power as Manuel L. Quezon in TBA Studios’ third Bayaniverse film
Related story: Prime Video’s ‘The Loyalty Game’ turns relationship doubt into something dangerous
Carl Joseph Papa’s 58th earned Best Picture in the Documentary category and Best Director. The animated documentary follows Reynafe Castillo’s fight for answers and recognition of her father as the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre. Castillo also received a Shining a Light Award, giving the night a moving reminder of the real people behind these films.
Lea Salonga makes Hollywood history
Lea Salonga’s MIFF Icon Award capped a milestone week. On September 4, she became the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, earning the honor in the Live Performance category.
Fans gathered for the unveiling outside the Pantages Theatre, with Ming-Na Wen, Brandy, Darren Criss and H.E.R. among those in attendance. For Filipinos who grew up hearing Salonga as Disney’s Jasmine and Mulan, it was a proud moment decades in the making.
MIFF helped make that moment happen by nominating her for the star. Two days later, the festival celebrated her career again at its closing gala.
Honoring legends and the next generation
The festival also paid tribute to Nora Aunor and Pilita Corrales with posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Briones family, Jon Jon, Megan, Isa and Teo, received the inaugural Generations Award for their work across theater, film and television.
Related story: DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ brings Filipino folklore to the big screen this September
Related story: DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ has folklore, friendship, and a soundtrack stacked with Filipino talent
Forgotten Island directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford were among the Trailblazer honorees. The DreamWorks animated film also featured in the festival lineup through a special advance screening, adding a major Hollywood production to the celebration of Filipino stories.
There was plenty of Filipino pride to go around. Keeping it going means showing up for the films, too.
