‘And So It Begins’ is Philippines’ official entry to the 97th Academy Awards
And So It Begins, a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Ramona Diaz, is the Philippines’ official entry to the 97th Academy Awards or Oscars under the Best International Film category.
The Film Academy of the Philippines announced the selection on its Facebook page on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
And So It Begins is a companion film to Diaz's 2020 masterpiece A Thousand Cuts, which follows journalist Maria Ressa as she covers former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. It’s about former Vice President Leni Robredo’s biggest political fight of her life—her campaign for the highest position of the State—during the 2022 elections.
After premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States, the docu film hit Philippine cinemas in late August.
Diaz also helmed award-winning films such as Imelda (2004) and The Learning (2011), among others.