DreamWorks Animation announces Filipino mythology-inspired film Forgotten Island

DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film, ‘Forgotten Island’, marks the studio’s first production centered entirely on Filipino culture and mythology. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the animated adventure is set in the 1990s and follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa.

As the two young women face a turning point in their lives—with Raissa preparing to move to the United States for college—they are transported through a mysterious portal to Nakali, a mystical island. The world is populated by creatures drawn from Filipino folklore, including the weredog Raww and the memory-consuming Manananggal. To find their way home, the protagonists must navigate a journey where the cost of escape may be their own shared memories.

The film features a diverse voice cast, including H. E. R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, and Lea Salonga. Critics have noted the film’s stylized animation and its emotional depth regarding friendship and cultural representation.