Embassy screening highlighted Filipino creative talent, culture and storytelling through international animation.
The Philippine Embassy in Singapore, in partnership with NBCUniversal Singapore and the Singapore Film Society through Animation Nation, hosted a special block screening of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island at Golden Village Bugis+ on 27 September 2026. The event was held as part of Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) and welcomed more than 200 attendees, including NBCUniversal employees, Embassy personnel and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Medardo G. Macaraig welcomed the audience and described the screening as a fitting activity to conclude the monthlong PCIM. He highlighted the film’s presentation of Filipino culture, talent, stories and imagination, and thanked NBCUniversal Singapore and Animation Nation for their partnership.
Complimentary tickets were provided to OFWs, allowing them to participate in the celebration of Filipino stories and creative talent on the international screen. The audience subsequently watched the 109-minute film, followed by an interview recorded exclusively for the event with directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado.
The interview was conducted by Michael Lim, Festival Director of Animation Nation, and explored the creative process behind Forgotten Island, including its use of Philippine mythology in a story centred on friendship, memory and identity.
Crawford and Mercado discussed how stories rooted in a particular culture can resonate with international audiences through shared human experiences. They also highlighted animation as a means of connecting younger generations with cultural heritage.
The film’s musical elements included a song by Filipino music icon Francis M., performed by SB19, as well as “A Parallel World”, an original song by P-pop girl group BINI featured on the official soundtrack. The film’s voice cast included Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto and Jo Koy.
Quezon City-based Snipple Animation Studios also contributed hand-drawn animation sequences to the production. Audience members were additionally given the opportunity to win exclusive Forgotten Island merchandise through a raffle.
The activity supported PCIM’s objectives of promoting Philippine creative products and services and raising awareness of the sector’s contribution to national development. It also provided an opportunity to promote appreciation of Philippine cultural heritage and the work of Filipino creative professionals among audiences in Singapore.
Source: Philippine Embassy in Singapore
