Forgotten Island – A DreamWorks fantasy adventure pulling from Filipino mythology and iconography.

What’s up, y’all. We’re so excited about the drop of the Forgotten Island trailer and all the energy around Filipino animation right now that I put together this list of trailers and features from the Philippines and its diaspora… let’s go down this rabbit hole together.

Already Completed :

Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story – A bold, adult animated rom-com that leans into messy, modern Filipino life.

 

RPG Metanoia – A coming-of-age story set inside an online game, and the first full-length 3D animated film from the Philippines.

 

Iti Mapukpukaw – A surreal Ilocano animated film about memory, isolation, and the worlds we create to cope.

 

Saving Sally – A hybrid live-action and animation love story that took over a decade to bring to life.

 

Trese – A dark animated series that brings Filipino mythology into a modern Manila noir world.

 

Jelly, Ben & Pogo – A Filipino-American kids series about siblings and their magical sea monster friend.

 

Barangay 143 – A Filipino animated series built around basketball, community, and everyday life, showing how local stories can translate into a full animated series with global appeal.

 

Urduja – One of the first Filipino animated feature films, bringing a legendary warrior princess to life and showing early ambition for homegrown animated storytelling.

 

Dayo – An early Filipino animated feature rooted in mythology, following a young boy navigating a world filled with creatures from Philippine folklore.

 

Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye – An indie Filipino animated short by Arnold Arre, blending mythology and urban storytelling with a very distinct, personal style. A glimpse of what local creators were already experimenting with.

 

In Development

 

Zsazsa Zaturnnah – A cult-favorite Filipino comic being adapted into an animated feature with camp, chaos, and queer energy.

 

Maharlika – An epic Filipino sci-fi saga expanding into animation with a bold, alternative history vision.
Watch now → https://www.instagram.com/p/DPyhYGuEq5U/

 

Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko – A Filipino animated project that blends horror, action, and mythology, following a young girl caught between real-world danger and supernatural forces in an urban setting.

 

Sun Chaser – A visually rich coming-of-age fantasy project that’s gaining traction on the international festival circuit.

 

EWA – A sci-fi story about a Filipino migrant worker stranded in space, blending isolation and survival.
Read more → https://kinoarts.ph/films/ewa/

 

The Lovers – A stylized animated short exploring relationships, longing, and emotional distance.

Last But Most Important

Lupang Hinirang (Animation) – A fully animated interpretation of the Philippine national anthem by Arnold Arre, using symbolism and history to tell the story of the country through animation.

FAQ

What is Hot Tropiks?
Hot Tropiks is a platform for stories from the Philippines and its diaspora. We focus on komiks, children’s books, and creative work that reflects what’s coming out of the scene right now.

What do you guys actually do?
We bring in stories, work with creators, and publish select titles in North America. A big part of what we do is helping these stories travel further.

Why are you making posts like this?
Because there are a lot of great stories coming out of the Philippines that don’t always get seen globally. This is our way of sharing them and putting people on.

Is it just books?
Books are the core, but the stories extend into animation, film, art, and more. We’re interested in how these stories show up across different mediums.

What’s the goal with all of this?
To help stories from the Philippines and its diaspora reach a wider audience and become part of the global conversation.

Where can I check out your stuff?
You can explore everything at hottropiks.com or follow along on Instagram @hot.tropiks for new drops, events, and what we’re watching and reading.