‘58th’ continues international journey, brings documentary to campuses

GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ animated documentary “58th” continues to expand its local and international reach through screenings and festival appearances in four countries, alongside a nationwide campus tour beginning November.

Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, the docu-film on the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre will screen in the Netherlands, Canada, Taiwan, and Indonesia from November to December 2026.

It is set to screen on November 14 at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), one of the world’s major film events, followed by a special screening on November 27 at the UBC Robson Theatre in Vancouver, Canada, hosted by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia.

Ahead of its theatrical release in Taiwan on December 4, ‘58th’ will hold special screenings in Taipei (November 23 and 28), Kaohsiung (November 27), and Taoyuan (November 29).

The film has also been officially selected for the Asian Perspective Feature Programme at the 21st Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), which runs from November 28 to December 5, 2026. It will be screened at Studio 4 of Empire XXI Cinema in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on December 3 and 4.

In the Philippines, "58th" moves to further engage the younger generation on press freedom and the fight against impunity through a series of screenings in various campuses.

In partnership with universities, student groups, and media organizations, the “58th” Campus Tour will visit I-Academy (November 11), University of the Philippines Los Baños for Pelikultura (November 11), Ateneo de Naga University (November 13), Bulacan State University (November 18), University of the Philippines Diliman (November 19), Ateneo de Manila University (November 19), De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (November 20), University of the Philippines Mindanao (November 23), Ateneo de Davao University (November 23), University of Santo Tomas (November 28), FAITH Colleges (December 7), and UP Film Institute (December 9).

“58th” follows the search for justice of Ma. Reynafe Momay-Castillo, whose father, photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, was among those killed in the election-related massacre in 2009. Bebot’s remains have never been recovered.

The film is currently under consideration for the Best Documentary Feature category at the 2027 Academy Awards. It received awards at the Manila International Film Festival and Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand, and completed a successful theatrical run in the United States, with screenings in Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas.

“58th” was previously featured at the Busan International Film Festival, one of Asia’s most prestigious film festivals, and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, widely regarded as the world’s leading festival dedicated to animation. (PR)