“Food Delivery” Eyes Oscars And BAFTAs
LONDON, UK—Doc Edge Festival 2025 winner Food Delivery: Fresh From the West Philippine Sea, directed by award-winning Filipino documentary filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, is now in contention for the 2026 Academy Awards and the BAFTA Film Awards.
Following a special screening in London on December 10, 2025, Villarama announced that the film is officially included among the eligible documentary features for the Oscars. It is also under consideration for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, remaining eligible in the Best Documentary Feature category of the Academy Awards.
Despite being unable to screen at a local film festival in the Philippines due to what was described as “internal pressure,” the documentary has gained strong international recognition. In July 2025, it won the Best Festival Category (Tides of Change) award at the prestigious Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand, an Oscar-qualifying event.
“Nanalo tayo sa Doc Edge. Oscar-qualifying festival pala yun,” Villarama shared. “As my producer told me, this is not just about the Oscars. Use the platform to tell the world what’s happening in the Philippines.”
She added, “Not everyone knows what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea. It’s about time the world knows. Hindi ito kaya ng isang pelikula lang—it will take a nation of storytellers to shine a light on the voices of our fisherfolk. This cannot be resolved by politicians making motherhood statements. It will only be resolved if we choose to care.”
The powerful documentary exposes the harassment faced by Filipino fishermen and maritime defenders from the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea. The film has been available to BAFTA voting members via BAFTA View since November 7.
The 79th British Academy Film Awards will be held on February 22, 2026, while the 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, with final Oscar voting ending on March 5, 2026.
Watch official trailer here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2332120553974119
Cover image: Food Delivery Facebook
