The global indie film community is cheering!
Indeed, award-winning Filipino filmmaker Arvin Belarmino has earned one of the international film industry’s highest distinctions. He was officially invited to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the governing organization behind the annual Academy Awards.
Specifically, Belarmino was named among 529 global invitees to the Academy Class of 2026—a distinguished group that includes 95 Oscar nominees, 21 winners, and three Scientific and Technical Award recipients.
A New Pinoy Voice in the Oscar Voting Pool
As a self-taught, independent filmmaker from the Philippines, Belarmino brings a crucial perspective to a historically Western-centric voting body.
Furthermore, in recent years, the Academy has actively pushed to globalize its voting pool to dismantle systemic cultural biases. Belarmino’s inclusion therefore serves this mission directly.
Ultimately, his presence will help amplify Southeast Asian cinema, ensuring that future Oscar nominees reflect a truly global canvas rather than just mainstream Hollywood.
Kadiboy Meets World: Uncompromising Punk Cinema
To begin with, Belarmino’s craft is deeply rooted in a “punk” culture that defines his identity in Philippine independent cinema. His work is consistently gritty, raw, and hyper-local.
Alongside his creative partner, Kyla Danelle Romero, Belarmino (affectionately known as Kadiboy) steers away from polished, mainstream conventionality.
Instead, their shared filmmaking ethos thrives on:
Structural rebellion.
Sensory intensity.
Dark humor.
An uncompromising camera language.
Moreover, while many directors view short films merely as stepping stones to feature-lengths, Belarmino and Romero champion shorts as a distinct, powerful medium.
Consequently, they utilize the format to deliver sharp, concentrated artistic statements.
Accordingly, over the years, Belarmino has navigated the highly competitive waters of international short film festivals, effectively bridging the gap between local narratives and major global stages like Cannes and Berlin.
Key Filmography & Festival Highlights
Agapito (2025) Co-directed by Belarmino and Romero, this 15-minute drama follows manual pin-setters in a fading bowling alley. As a deeply personal tribute to Belarmino’s special-needs brother, it beautifully explores family bonds and working-class resilience.
Notably, it premiered in the Short Film Palme d’Or competition at the Cannes Film Festival and subsequently won an Honorable Mention at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Radikals (2024) This 20-minute absurd drama further highlights Belarmino’s punk, experimental style. The story follows a rookie in a bizarre chicken-dance troupe facing a ruthless heckler to comment on institutional cruelty.
Remarkably, it was the only Southeast Asian film selected for Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Festivals and Competitions
In addition to these achievements, Belarmino’s global footprint includes awards at the Berlin Interfilm Festival (for Tarang), Aspen Shortsfest, and QCinema. Domestically, his horror short Hinakdal swept major honors at the 2023 Cinemalaya Film Festival, including Best Screenplay and the Audience Award.
A Defining Win for Southeast Asian Cinema
In conclusion, Kadiboy’s rising trajectory is more than a personal milestone; it represents a definitive win for Southeast Asian cinema on the global stage.
By centering his narratives on the raw representation of working-class realities, Belarmino continuously challenges traditional cinematic boundaries.
Because his work is rooted firmly in the hyper-local landscapes of Cavite, it proves that regional stories possess a universal resonance.
Yet, far from just collecting accolades, his commitment extends back to the grassroots level through community drives and filmmaking workshops.
Thus, this milestone is a testament that his uncompromising, empathetic lens will continue to redefine independent cinema for years to come.
As local creatives head the call:
Regional is National.
National is International.
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