This Friday marks a significant day for Filipinos worldwide, as DreamWorks' latest animated feature film, “Forgotten Island,” hits theaters.

The premiere is more than just another animated production for Filipino-Canadian Andrea Custodio. After attending a screening at Queensway Cinema in Toronto on Wednesday night, she reflected on the importance of seeing her culture represented on the big screen, particularly through animated Filipino women as lead characters. "All the representation and symbols like the sun, jeepney, and all that. I think it’s pretty cool that now even non-Filipinos can see that and experience the culture," Custodio remarked.

Set in the Philippines, “Forgotten Island” follows the adventure of lifelong best friends, Raissa and Jo, as they embark on a quest to find the island of ‘Nakali,’ a term derived from the Tagalog word ‘nakalimutan’, meaning “forgotten” in English. The film combines rich storytelling with colorful depictions of Filipino folklore, including elements like the ‘Aswangs’, a shape-shifting supernatural being from the Philippines.

With the advanced screening organized by DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and the Toronto-based film enthusiasts’ group, Sine Institute, community members had the opportunity to not only enjoy the film but also appreciate the journey that brought it to fruition. One moviegoer expressed, "I did not expect a movie, an animated movie like that to be that powerful. I cried, I laughed—it was so funny."

Sine Institute's vice president, Rosary Escano, noted the film's significance for Toronto's Filipino community, stating, "There are many kids from the Filipino community that are interested to learn more about their identity, to really know about mythology, about their history. The way this film was able to tell that story in a funny, emotional way is something different."

In addition to celebrating Filipino mythology and culture, the film has garnered praise for its voice casting. Filipino actor Liza Soberano voices the character Raissa, while Oscar-winning Filipino-American singer-songwriter H.E.R. lends her voice to Jo’s character. The cast also includes notable names such as Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto.

"I think this is going to be embraced beyond the community," said Michaelangelo Masangkay, president of Sine Institute. The organization anticipates a packed opening weekend for “Forgotten Island,” which has achieved a remarkable 100 percent score rating on Rotten Tomatoes from professional critics. However, Escano emphasized the film's personal impact on the community, saying, "We felt seen," implying that the most significant reviews have already been shared among those who resonate with its themes.