The Missing is the Philippines’ first animated Academy Award submission for Best International Feature. It is an ambitious piece by director Carl Joseph Papa, merging rotoscoped and traditional animation.

It depicts the personal journey of a young animator, Eric, who has no mouth and cannot speak. Blending elements of sci-fi and Eric’s childhood memories, the film gradually reveals Eric’s unspoken secret and trauma. He tries to reclaim his body parts, which had been taken away by aliens, with the company of his mother and his boyfriend. Their selfless company encourages Eric to face his past and open his heart.

The film delves into the importance of real-life relationships and the support from others. The absorbing narrative and fantastic rotoscoped animation make this film a must-see.

The screening on 22 September will be followed by a post-screening talk with filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa in English.

Carl Joseph Papa (b. Philippines) is a software engineer-turned-filmmaker. Best known for his experimental and animated films, Papa’s works have been showcased at numerous international film festivals and received multiple awards. Papa is known for his award-winning animated films including Manang Biring (2015), The Leaving (2018), and The Missing (2023) which was the first animated film nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film by the Philippines.