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Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
China tries to block West Philippine Sea documentary
China tries to block West Philippine Sea documentary MANILA: The tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea continue to brew after China asked a New Zealand documentary festival to refrain from screening a film about the flashpoint waters. The documentary, 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea', won the Tides of Change Award in New Zealand's Doc Edge Festival. Advertisement The documentary focused on the work of Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard in the West Philippine Sea. In the name of transparency, Doc Edge posted China's appeal to them. The Consulate-General of People's Republic of China in Auckland said that the film festival could 'mislead' the public by showing the movie. SPONSORED CONTENT 'We hope that you will act in the interest of public and China-New Zealand relations accountability by refraining from screening this documentary,' China said. However, Doc Edge said that it would remain independent. Advertisement 'Doc Edge stands by our Kaupapa and the festival's independence and curatorial freedom,' they said. Following news of China's request, Philippine officials declared their support for the film, saying that it asserted the Philippines' rightful claim on the flashpoint waters. Advertisement The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea has condemned this move from China, calling it intimidation. PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said that China is continuing to assert its 'authoritarian influence'. 'This isn't just a cinematic endeavour—it's a bold exposé that shines a spotlight on a critical geopolitical flashpoint, revealing the stark realities faced by those on the front lines of this dispute,' Tarriela said in a social media post. 'China's response? A predictable threat and pressure aimed at burying the truth before it can reach a global audience. However, this documentary film, along with New Zealand's refusal to back down, threatens to dismantle the carefully constructed narrative that China has peddled to legitimise its overreach,' he added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that they stood by the filmmakers to help defend truth and sovereignty. 'The AFP supports efforts that shed light on the realities faced by Filipino fisherfolk and maritime defenders in the West Philippine Sea,' the AFP said. Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, Doc Edge called the documentary 'a banned film that must be seen.' In March, 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea' was removed from the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival due to alleged 'external factors.' Months later, the documentary film won big at Doc Edge, which is an Oscar-qualifying film festival. This means that the documentary film may be considered for an Academy Award. China has continuously encroached upon Philippine territory throughout the years, despite a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration that quashed China's nine-dash line claim. The documentary tells the stories of local fishermen, the national Coast Guard, and the Navy as they work in the South China Sea – with a particular focus on the area around the Scarborough Shoal. Contained within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, China's had de-facto control of it since 2012 and has refused to accept an international ruling that said its claim over almost the entirety of the South China Sea has no legal basis. University of Otago senior lecturer in politics Nicholas Khoo said there is 'absolutely no ambiguity' and the Scarborough Shoal is 'Filipino territory'. 'The challenge is that China doesn't respect the Filipino position, nor does it respect the international legal issue that is at stake here.' He said the situation 'underlines the importance of New Zealand standing up for the international legal order' and for it to continue to 'reassert our interest in freedom of navigation', adding that 'there should not be an aggressive use of force to attempt to solve issues'.
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
China urges New Zealand festival to drop Filipino documentary on West Philippine Sea
Chinese officials have called on the organizers of the Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand to cancel future screenings of Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, a Filipino documentary that tackles maritime tensions in the disputed waters. Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, the film premiered in Auckland on June 30 after it was pulled from a local film festival in the Philippines due to unspecified 'external factors.' The Chinese Consulate in Auckland described the film as 'politically motivated' and 'misleading.' 'The documentary… is rife with disinformation and false propaganda, serving as a political tool for the Philippines to pursue illegitimate claims in the South China Sea. Its screening would severely mislead the public and send the wrong message internationally,' the Consulate said in an email sent to festival organizers. Doc Edge general manager Rachael Penman rejected the request and affirmed the festival's commitment to supporting independent storytelling and protecting freedom of expression. 'We programmed a film that we felt was really important to be seen and brings up a conversation with so many people. I hope that everyone does go and see this now, and has their own opportunity to make their own decisions about this film,' she said. The documentary highlights the experiences of Filipino fishermen, along with the resupply mission of the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the Scarborough Shoal, an area located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone but also claimed by China. The film received the Tides of Change Award under the Best Festival Category in the Academy Award-qualifying film festival.
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GMA Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
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. Doc Edge is New Zealand's national documentary organization. It is also an Oscar-qualifying festival. Congratulations! — LA, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Filipino documentary on WPS wins at Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand
A Filipino documentary highlighting the maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea has gained international recognition after winning an award at the 2025 Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand. 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,' directed by Baby Ruth Villarama and produced by Voyage Studios, received the Tides of Change Award under the Best Festival Category in the Academy Award-qualifying film festival. The documentary follows the high-risk missions of Filipino fishermen and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy as they deliver essential supplies to military outposts in the West Philippine Sea, an area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that remains under pressure from China's expansive territorial claims. In a statement on Facebook, Voyage Studios dedicated the award to those safeguarding Philippine sovereignty in the disputed waters. '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. The journey has just begun. May more people see our fight,' the post read. Doc Edge, short for Documentary Edge, is an internationally acclaimed documentary festival and a leading platform for non-fiction storytelling in the Asia-Pacific region. Held annually in cities across New Zealand and online, the festival showcases films that challenge perspectives, inform audiences, and inspire change.
