SINGAPORE, 28 September 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Singapore, in partnership with NBCUniversal Singapore and the Singapore Film Society through Animation Nation, held a special block screening of DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island at Golden Village Bugis+ on 27 September 2026 in celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM).

The screening gathered over 200 attendees, including NBCUniversal employees, Embassy personnel, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Complimentary tickets were provided to OFWs to participate in the celebration of Filipino stories and creative talent on the international screen.

In welcoming the audience, the Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig placed the screening as a fitting activity to culminate the monthlong PCIM, highlighting a film that brings Filipino culture, talent, stories, and imagination to the big screen. The Ambassador also thanked NBCUniversal Singapore and Animation Nation for the partnership and encouraged the audience to share word of the film with family and friends in support of Filipino stories and creative talent.

Following the 109-minute movie screening, audiences watched an interview recorded exclusively for the event with Forgotten Island directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, conducted by Michael Lim, Festival Director of Animation Nation. The conversation provided insights into the creative process behind the film and its use of Philippine mythology to tell a story about friendship, memory, and identity.

Mr. Crawford and Mr. Mercado emphasized that stories rooted in a particular culture can resonate internationally through shared human experiences. They also discussed animation’s role in connecting generations with cultural heritage, citing the inclusion of a song by Filipino music icon Francis M., performed by SB19, as a way of honoring a Filipino musical legacy while introducing it to younger audiences. The film also highlighted “A Parallel World,” an original song by P-pop girl group BINI featured on the film’s official soundtrack, demonstrating how Forgotten Island brings together both established Filipino cultural influences and a new generation of Filipino artists.

Lucky audience members not only enjoyed the screening but also won exclusive Forgotten Island merchandise in the raffle draw, taking home a special memento of the movie.

Forgotten Island showcases Filipino creativity through its story, performances, and animation. Its voice cast includes Liza Soberano, H.E.R., Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto, and Jo Koy, while Quezon City-based Snipple Animation Studios contributed hand-drawn animation sequences. These contributions highlight the range of Filipino talent involved in international filmmaking.

The activity supported PCIM’s objectives of promoting Philippine creative products and services and raising awareness of the sector’s contribution to national development. Through the screening, the Embassy promoted appreciation of Philippine cultural heritage and the capabilities of Filipino creative professionals among audiences in Singapore. /END