iACADEMY

Philippine folklore is set to take center stage in global animation as DreamWorks Animation officially unveils Forgotten Island, an upcoming original feature inspired by Philippine mythology and memory-driven storytelling. Scheduled for global release on September 25, 2026, the film marks a major milestone for Filipino culture in mainstream Hollywood animation.

Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, Forgotten Island follows childhood best friends Jo and Raissa, who are transported to the mystical island of Nakali, a fantastical world where memories slowly fade the longer they remain. Set in the Philippines in the 1990s, the story draws directly from the richness of local folklore, weaving familiar mythological elements into an emotionally resonant coming-of-age adventure.

The project has generated excitement among Filipino audiences not only for its narrative, but also for its powerhouse cast of Filipino voices, including Liza Soberano, Lea Salonga, Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy, and Filipino-American artist H.E.R. Their involvement reinforces the film’s commitment to authentic cultural representation, while signaling a growing recognition of Filipino stories and talent on the international stage.

As international studios continue to invest in culturally grounded storytelling, milestones like this underscore the importance of training the next generation of Filipino animators and visual storytellers. Through iACADEMY’s Animation program, students are immersed in character design, story development, visual world-building, and industry-standard production workflows that prepare them to transform local stories into globally competitive animated experiences. Forgotten Island stands as a powerful reminder that Philippine mythology is not only rich in heritage, it is also ready for the world stage.