'58th' wins award at New Zealand's Doc Edge Festival

GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures’ animated documentary film “58th” won an award at the 2026 edition of Doc Edge Festival, New Zealand’s premier documentary festival and an Academy Awards-qualifying event.

According to a post by GMA Pictures, the Glaiza De Castro-led film won in the Facing the Edge category, which honors films that take audiences "to the boundary of justice, technology, love, and what it means to be human in a shifting world."

The award comes after “58th” was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 in France and made it to the Top 10 Audience Choice Films at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Aside from this recognition, GMA Pictures Executive Vice President Nessa Valdellon also served as a Wayfinder at the Doc Edge Pitch, mentoring filmmakers by providing guidance, feedback, and insights to help develop impactful documentary projects.

"58th" follows the story of Reynafe (Glaiza) as she continues her years-long fight for answers and her father's recognition as the massacre's 58th victim. Her story also reflects the grief of the victims' families and their pursuit of justice following the tragedy.

The Maguindanao massacre happened on November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan and is considered the deadliest single attack on journalists in world history. The massacre resulted in the death of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were journalists.

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News