‘And So It Begins’ is Philippines’ official entry to the 97th Academy Awards • PhilSTAR Life

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.

Ramona Diaz, the filmmaker behind *And So It Begins* Film Academy of the Philippines / Facebook

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.

TAGS: leni robredo oscars Ramona Diaz and so it begins 97th academy awards

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Brooke Villanueva

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Brooke Villanueva is the deputy editor of PhilSTAR L!fe, covering everything lifestyle—with a focus on food and travel. Apart from her responsibilities as a lifestyle journalist, she is also taking her MBA at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. She has completed a certificate program on the fundamentals of business developed by top faculty at Harvard Business School. Follow her on Instagram at @itsbrookevillanueva.