Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault
No matter how much Philippine cinema evolves through the years, our visionary animators and illustrators will always have a place in it. The world of Philippine animation, though underrated, has a lot to offer that shouldn’t be slept on.
We don’t have an extensive library of animated films. Still, the titles in our current roster—from Saving Sally to Hayop Ka! and Cleaners—have made significant contributions to media, entertainment, and pop culture that we might not have initially considered.
Every Filipino filmmaker has as much of a purpose in animation as they do in live-action productions. Carl Joseph Papa, the globally renowned director and animator, is no exception.
Photo: Cinemalaya Foundation Inc., Project 8 Projects, Cinema One, Sine Pelikula/YouTube
Papa and his award-winning animated films rose to prominence in the late 2010s. From local television channels to theaters, his work now thrives in international film festivals and award shows. He champions and empathizes with Filipinos’ voices, lifestyles, and plight in all his pursuits, regardless of where they may end up in the world.
If you want to broaden your palate and learn more about Philippine animation, but don’t know where to start, these Carl Joseph Papa films are excellent entry points to the timeless art form. Here’s how each one has given new meaning to Filipinos’ everyday experiences and has become an inspiration for the country’s animation industry:
The Next 24 Hours (2025)
Papa’s latest animated masterpiece, The Next 24 Hours, is making waves at this year’s Cinemalaya film festival. This short film tackles the harrowing aftermath of sexual assault (SA) through the eyes of Shiela (Christela Marquez), a 29-year-old woman who struggles to process her trauma amid the demands of her work.
The Next 24 Hours doesn’t shy away from reflecting the cruel and disturbing injustices that Filipinos have endured for far too long. Despite its bleak atmosphere, the short film still aims to foster a safe space for SA victims and survivors to seek justice and reclaim their agency over their bodies. For Papa, the short film’s message is clear: “You are not alone, you are not to blame, and your voice is essential.”
The Next 24 Hours is one of ten short films that premiered at Cinemalaya. The film festival runs from October 3 to 12, 2025.
Iti Mapukpukaw (2023)
Grief, queer love, and supernatural encounters take center stage in Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing), Papa’s internationally acclaimed rotoscope animation movie that was submitted to the 2024 Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category. The movie also broke boundaries in 2023 as the first-ever full-length animated film to debut at Cinemalaya.
This dreary and somber Filipino-Ilocano story stars Carlo Aquino as Eric, a young man without a mouth who juggles numerous twists and turns in his life: the guy he likes, his uncle’s mysterious death, and a strange alien on a mission to beam him up from Earth. The critically acclaimed film also stars Dolly de Leon and Gio Gahol.
Paglisan (2018)
Husbands and wives of all ages and generations can resonate with the poignant and bittersweet atmosphere of Paglisan. In this film, Crisanto’s (Ian Veneracion) and Dolores’s (Eula Valdez) rocky marriage is put to the test when he gets diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and she battles deep-seated depression.
This tender Cinema One original is brimming with emotionally charged portrayals of mental health, conflict in long-term relationships, and the relentless hope that true love will prevail against all odds.
Manang Biring (2015)
Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine, and Manang Biring attests to that. This heartfelt black-and-white comedy-drama follows the titular character, the terminally ill Biring (Erlinda Villalobos), and how she strives to stay healthy enough to reconnect with her estranged daughter for the holidays.
Manang Biring tells us that time doesn’t heal all wounds, but it sure helps us resolve and come to terms with the dents in our relationships with our loved ones.
Other notable animated films by Carl Joseph Papa include 58th, a compelling drama set 15 years after the Maguindanao Massacre, and Love Bites, a sentimental stop-motion love story between an elderly man and woman who meet at a bar.
ALSO READ: New Filipino Animated Series “Sun Chaser” Is Making Waves Globally Ahead of Its Release
What is your favorite animated film by Carl Joseph Papa? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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