Filipino documentary 'Food Delivery' wins in New Zealand film fest

Congratulations are in order for "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" the Filipino documentary by Baby Ruth Villarama as it won the Tides of Change Award at the prestigious Doc Edge Festival 2025 in New Zealand, where it held its global premiere.

"This is for every Filipino defending the West Philippine Sea. In the face of silence and fear, we carry the truth and now the world hears us," said the film in its official Instagram account.

"The journey has just begun. May more people see our fight," it added.

"Food Delivery" humanizes the West Philippine Sea conflict between China and the Philippines. It tells the stories of FIlipino fishermen, Philippine Coast Guard, and Navy personnel as they "risk everything to defend their waters and way of life."

On Instagram, Kapuso celebrity Therese Malvar, who is the film's associate producer wrote, "From being banned in its own country to now being screened internationally — and still, with a Filipino audience by our side ???? (thank you NZ Filipino community for the support)."

"I still hope that one day, our fellow Filipinos back home will get to see this. That we’ll finally find a space there where stories like ours can be told freely. For now, we sail slowly, but surely, back home," she added, saying "it's a real honor to be the Associate Producer for Ms. Babyruth’s film."

"Our voices are rising; and we won’t be drowned. Para sa WPS. Atin ito," she added.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Therese Malvar (@theresemalvar)

Doc Edge is New Zealand's national documentary organization. It is also an Oscar-qualifying festival.

Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Voyage Studios (@voyagefilmstudiosinc)

— LA, GMA Integrated News