Mark your calendars, film lovers. The Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) returns to Los Angeles Sept. 3-6, 2026 — kicking off with an exclusive advance screening of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island three full weeks before its worldwide release on September 25.
In a major coup, MIFF audiences get an exclusive advance screening of DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated animated feature, Forgotten Island on Sept. 4. This special event happens three full weeks before the movie hits general theaters on Sept. 25.
Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the animated feature is deeply rooted in Philippine folklore. It follows two childhood friends trapped on a magical island that steals memories.
Even better? The voice cast features a powerhouse line-up of FilAm talent including H.E.R. (aka Gabby Sarmiento Wilson), Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy and the legendary Lea Salonga.
The 6 p.m. screening at the TCL Chinese Theater will be followed by a short Q&A with the films' directors and stars.
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| 'Forgotten Island' the story of two Filipino American friends will screen at the 2026 MIFF. |
Besides Forgotten Island, this year’s festival is packed with fresh cinema. Attendees will witness a total of 14 film debuts, including highly anticipated titles to watch for:
- Quezon: The Hollywood premiere of Jerrold Tarog’s sweeping historical drama.
- Manila's Finest: A gripping thriller by Raymond Red making its Los Angeles premiere.
- The Road to Sydney: Benito Bautista's latest work making its LA debut.
The festival concludes with a star-studded Closing Night Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton. The highlight of the evening will be honoring global icon Lea Salonga. She will receive the inaugural MIFF Icon Award for her legendary contributions to the arts and her fierce representation of Filipino talent worldwide.
Manila in Los Angeles?
Why Los Angeles? Simple. LA is the entertainment capital of the world. It is also home to one of the largest Filipino American communities in the United States. This festival bridges the gap. It places Filipino stories right on the global stage.
Hosting MIFF in L.A. puts Filipino stories directly in the epicenter of the global film industry. For decades, Filipino and Filipino American artists have contributed immensely to cinema, yet culturally authentic narratives remain underrepresented in mainstream Hollywood.
Festival producers believe showcasing FilAm and Philippine talent on this scale does more than fill seat numbers—it builds genuine equity behind the camera, validates nuance in representation, and proves that localized, culturally specific stories possess universal appeal.
How to Score Tickets: Screenings and filmmaker Q&As will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Full festival passes and single-session tickets are available now on the official Manila International Film Festival Website.
The 2026 Manila International Film Festival lineup features an interesting mix of world premieres, award-winning documentaries, and star-studded features.
Every screening listed below takes place at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. You can book individual tickets for these specific blocks on the MIFF Eventbrite Page.
Featured Films & Screening Time:
Thursday, September 3
- Manila's Finest (5:30 p.m.): This intense action thriller directed by Raymond Red makes its Los Angeles Premiere. Followed by a 15-minute filmmaker Q&A
- FilAm Creative Community Shorts (9:00 p.m.): A dedicated block showcasing short films from talented Filipino American creators.
Friday, September 4
- Lea Salonga Retrospective (1:00 p.m.): A celebration of the Broadway legend featuring screenings of Sana Maulit Muli and The Vale – Origins.
- Forgotten Island ( 6 p.m.) Dreamworks' animated feature about two Filipino American friends stuck in a magical world drawn from Philippine myths and folklore. Featuring lead voices by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano.
- Veterano (9:00 p.m.): A highly anticipated Hollywood Premiere directed by Patrick Epino. It screens as part of a double feature block.
- Eddie Romero Remastered: A Century of Filipino Cinema (9:00 p.m.): The World Premiere of a documentary celebrating a legend of Philippine cinema. Screens right alongside Veterano.
Saturday, September 5
- No Room For Love (10:30 a.m.): A romantic Hollywood Premiere directed by Randal and Maria Luna Kamradt.
- The Road to Sydney (11:00 a.m.): The Los Angeles Premiere of a captivating drama directed by Benito Bautista.
- 58th (2:00 p.m.): The North American Premiere of Carl Joseph Papa's incredibly powerful, award-winning animated documentary focused on the Maguindanao massacre.
- Pinay / Bebot / Along Comes Larry (2:30 p.m.): A powerhouse triple-feature block. It includes the World Premiere of Pinay, the L.A. Premiere of Bebot: Generation One (featuring The Black Eyed Peas), and the Hollywood Premiere of Along Comes Larry: The Larry Ramos Story.
- Quezon (4:30 p.m.): The Hollywood Premiere of director Jerrold Tarog's major historical drama starring Jericho Rosales.
- Bench/ Body of Work (5:00 p.m.): A highly stylized World Premiere film.
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| Lea Salonga |
- East of Western (7:45 p.m.) & Kappa-Tiran (8:30 p.m.): Two back-to-back major World Premieres closing out Saturday night's indie screenings.
Sunday, September 6
- 2026 MIFF Awards Gala will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hilton includes a special tribute to Broadway and Disney star Lea Salonga. Tickets are still available.
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