The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday extended its appreciation to the team behind “Food Delivery: Fresh From the West Philippine Sea” for winning the Tides of Change category at the Oscar-qualifying Doc Edge Festival 2025 in New Zealand.
“The AFP commends the film for powerfully capturing the everyday bravery and unwavering determination of Filipino fishermen and AFP personnel stationed in the West Philippine Sea, those who risk their lives daily to assert the country’s sovereignty and secure the livelihood of coastal communities,” the AFP said in a statement.
Despite the Filipino documentary’s positive reception, Chinese officials have asked that it be removed from the festival’s future screenings in the interest of Chinese-New Zealand relations.
“The documentary… is rife with disinformation and false propaganda, serving as a political tool for Philippines to pursue illegitimate claims in the South China Sea. Its screening would severely mislead the public and send the wrong message internationally,” the email from the Chinese Consulate read.
“This documentary disregarded history and facts, and is designed to amplify the Philippines’ wrong position on the issue concerning the South China Sea and deliberately distort and hype up the maritime situation,” it added.
Festival organizers have since declined the request, while the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS) condemned Chinese coercion.
“We call on all film festivals, media platforms, and audiences worldwide to reject coercion and stand with free expression. Let this film’s powerful narrative be heard in full, unfiltered, and without fear,” CIRIS said.