Director of
FILIPIÑANA
Based between Amsterdam, London, and Manila, Rafael Manuel’s short films have won a Silver Bear at the Berlinale, screened at Locarno, IFFR, and FIDMarseille, and are exhibited by ARTE and the Criterion Collection. He was the last film protégé at the Rolex Arts Initiative, where he was mentored by Jia Zhang-ke. His debut feature-length film, FILIPIÑANA, based on his short film of the same name, won the Creative Vision Jury Award at Sundance 2026 and had its European premiere in the Perspectives Competition at the 76th Berlinale.
Films (selection): FILIPIÑANA (2020), FILIPIÑANA (2026)