At the trailer launch for Forgotten Island, directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, alongside voice stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, revealed a film deeply rooted in friendship, memory, and cultural authenticity – one that’s as personal as it is universal.
From the outset, emotion ran high. For Crawford and Mercado, the project represents not just another animated feature, but the culmination of a decades-long friendship. The pair, who first met while working at DreamWorks, spoke candidly about how their bond shaped the very foundation of the story.
“This had to be about friendship,” Crawford shared, describing Mercado as someone who made him feel “safe” and able to fully be himself. That connection became the emotional backbone of Forgotten Island, a story about two lifelong friends facing the possibility of growing apart.
Mercado echoed the sentiment, noting that making a film is inherently challenging – but doing so with a best friend transforms that pressure into something joyful. “You forget about the stress because you’re creating with someone you love and trust,” he said.
A Story Grounded in Culture and Personal History
Set in the Philippines, Forgotten Island draws heavily from Mercado’s heritage and personal experiences. The filmmakers took a research trip with key members of the creative team to immerse themselves in the country’s landscapes and culture – something clearly reflected in the film’s vibrant visuals.
But the journey was also deeply personal. Mercado revealed that he was developing the script while caring for his father, who was battling pancreatic cancer at the time.
Returning to the Philippines for research became a way to reconnect – with family, with memory, and with grief. “It was about celebrating my dad, celebrating our family, and making memories together,” he explained. That emotional core – cherishing moments with loved ones – became central to the film’s themes.
Crawford added that witnessing his wife reconnect with her own family in the Philippines after decades away was equally impactful. “That spirit of reunion and connection – that’s what stayed with us,” he said.
A Universal Story Told Through a Specific Lens
While the film is steeped in Filipino culture, its themes are intentionally universal. Both directors emphasised that the more specific a story becomes, the more widely it resonates.
Set in the 1990s, the film taps into a sense of nostalgia that reinforces its emotional stakes. Without modern technology like FaceTime, the idea of friends separating carries a finality that feels more profound. Memories – captured through Polaroids and fleeting moments – become precious and finite.
“Those temporary moments become more meaningful,” Crawford explained. “That’s what this movie is about – moments that turn into memories.”
Breaking Boundaries in Animation
Visually, Forgotten Island aims to push animation beyond traditional expectations. Building on the stylistic innovations of their previous work, Crawford and Mercado described a film that blends painterly textures, anime-inspired action, and cinematic techniques like wide-angle lenses and light leaks.
Importantly, these choices aren’t just aesthetic, they serve the story. The directors use visual language to reflect memory itself, with different styles representing different perspectives and emotional states.
“This is a movie where every frame is designed with intention,” Mercado said. “Everything supports the themes.”
A Landmark Moment for Representation
For H.E.R. and Soberano, the film represents something equally significant: authentic Filipino representation on a global stage.
Both actors spoke about the emotional impact of seeing their culture reflected so prominently in a major studio film. Soberano described becoming overwhelmed watching the trailer, particularly a moment where the sun – a powerful Filipino symbol – acts as a portal.
“I just imagined kids in the Philippines seeing that,” she said. “Feeling proud. It’s such a big moment.”
H.E.R. added that Filipino culture, while deeply rich, is still unfamiliar to many global audiences. Forgotten Island offers an opportunity not just for representation, but for connection, highlighting shared values like family and friendship.
A Story of Growing Up – and Apart
At its core, Forgotten Island follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, as they confront a life-changing separation when Raissa prepares to leave for a prestigious opportunity abroad.
Both actors found personal resonance in that journey. H.E.R. reflected on leaving friends behind to pursue her career, while Soberano spoke about moving countries and navigating similar emotional challenges.
Their real-life chemistry translated directly into the recording booth, where they were often able to perform together – an uncommon luxury in animation. That shared energy, the directors noted, became integral to the film’s authenticity.
The Power of Memory
Throughout the panel, one idea surfaced again and again: memory.
Not just as a narrative device, but as something that shapes identity. The filmmakers described memory as both fragile and defining – something that can fade, but also something that anchors who we are.
“Memories and the people we share them with define us,” Mercado said. “That’s what we wanted to explore.”
In Forgotten Island, even objects carry emotional weight. A photograph, a shared moment, even a simple item can become imbued with meaning when tied to a memory.
A Film Made with Heart
If there was one takeaway from the event, it’s that Forgotten Island is a film made with genuine love – love for friendship, for family, and for culture.
From its deeply personal origins to its ambitious visual storytelling, the film promises a heartfelt exploration of what it means to grow, to remember, and to hold onto the people who shape us.
As Crawford put it simply: “It’s about the moments we share – and how they stay with us.”
Forgotten Island is scheduled for release in Australian theatres on September 17th, 2026, before opening in the United States on September 25th.
