'Lingua Franca,' 'A Thousand Cuts,' and 'Yellow Rose' among films qualified for Oscars Best Picture

Three women filmmakers with Filipino lineage are vying for history as the race to the Oscars heats up.

The films by directors Ramona Diaz (A Thousand Cuts), Isabel Sandoval (Lingua Franca), and Diane Paragas (Yellow Rose) all made it into the list of movies eligible to win Best Picture for the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards on April 25.

A Thousand Cuts puts the spotlight on multi-awarded journalist and CEO of news website Rappler, Maria Ressa, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's conflict with the media.

Lingua Franca tells the story of an undocumented Filipino trans caregiver based in Brooklyn and who attempts to obtain a green card through marriage.

Yellow Rose follows a young Filipino-American singer and aspiring country music star facing the possibility of deportation.

This year's list is described as the longest in 50 years, with 366 films from around the globe competing for the coveted honor.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “This is the highest tally of eligible titles in 50 years--there were 374 titles eligible in 1970--but only the 22nd-highest total in the history of the Oscars.

“The first Oscars ceremony considered films from 1927 and 1928, hence its record-setting 562 entries. The rest of the top 20 is filled with other years from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.”

The jump in the numbers of contending movies can be attributed to the delay in the staging of the event, giving more movies a chance to qualify for consideration.

“Moreover, films were deemed eligible that had been intended for a theatrical release but were initially made available through commercial streaming, VOD service or other broadcast, provided they were made available on the Academy Screening Room member site within 60 days of the streaming/VOD release or broadcast,” the article further noted.

Academy members will select five to ten Best Picture nominees as the start of the voting process on March 5 and will end on March 10.

Nominees in all categories will be announced on March 15.

The 93rd Academy Awards or Oscars will happen on April 25, 2021, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Meanwhile, here are some Hollywood actors who have Filipino blood: