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Carl Joseph Papa’s ‘58th’ wins MIFF honors for documentary and direction
GMA Network’s animated documentary 58th won three awards at the 3rd Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, including Best Picture Documentary Award.
The film, produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs, tackles the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, considered the deadliest attack on journalists in history. It combines animation and archival footage to tell the story of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, whose body was never found and whose family continues to seek official recognition as the massacre’s 58th victim.
Filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa won Best Director, while the festival’s Shining A Light award went to Momay’s daughter, Reynafe Castillo, for her involvement in the project.
58th also features the final film performance of the late Ricky Davao, who portrayed Momay. The cast includes Glaiza de Castro, Mikoy Morales, Marco Masa, Zyren Dela Cruz, and Biboy Ramirez.
GMA Public Affairs SAVP for Documentaries Johnson Tam and program manager Ian Simbulan produced the film.
The MIFF awards add to 58th’s growing list of international recognitions. The film was previously recognized at the 2026 Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand.
It had its world premiere at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam, becoming the first GMA-produced film screened at the festival. It was later named one of the festival’s Top 10 Audience Choice Films.
The film was also selected for the Contrechamp Feature Films category at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, becoming the first GMA Network film to screen at the festival.
58th will next screen at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in October. In the Philippines, it premiered at the 2026 Cinemalaya Film Festival in August.
The film was also shortlisted as a contender for the Philippines’ official submission to the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
