Transgender political docu ‘Honorablé’ bags international awards

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — “Honorablé,” an award-winning feature documentary following the historic political campaigns of two Filipina transgender women, is set to make its world premiere at the Amsterdam WorldPride and CinemAsia on July 26.

Co-directed by indigenous Moro human rights activist Rhadem Musawah and internationally awarded Kapampangan filmmaker Francis Tanglao-Aguas, the 72-minute film has already secured top honors internationally.

“With the 2028 elections approaching, we wanted this film to capture the journey of these candidates — the challenges they face, the strategies they employ, and the resilience they demonstrate in their pursuit of public office,” Musawah said in a statement sent to the Inquirer.

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It recently won Best Documentary at the 2026 Manila South East Academy International Film Festival (SEAIFF), the Berlin Indie Film Festival, and the Global CineVerse Film Festival.

Produced by Aguas Films and Seven Ivy Films, the multilingual documentary features dialogue in English, Filipino, Chavacano, Bisaya, and Tausug. It also includes insights from prominent figures such as former Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and Ladlad Party founder Dr. Danton Remoto.

“This documentary highlights the advocacy for equal rights of many groups, including Ladlad Party List, the national organization of LGBTQ Filipinos. Representation also includes political inclusion, which is shown when LGBTQ parties get elected to political positions,” Remoto told the Inquirer Thursday.

The documentary chronicles the campaign journeys of Miel Agustin in Malolos City in Bulacan, and Benjie Diones in Zamboanga City as they pursue seats in public office.

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Shot across Luzon and Mindanao, the film highlights the personal costs, public scrutiny, and resilience required to challenge systems that have historically excluded transgender voices from elected leadership.

“Honorablé emerged from a desire to document the realities faced by transgender leaders in the Philippines as they seek political representation in a society where visibility does not necessarily translate into equality,” the directors noted. “More than a political documentary, [it] is a portrait of resilience and a testament to communities fighting not simply to be seen, but to lead.”

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Following its launch in Europe, the film will make its Latin American premiere at the Colombia Human Rights International Film Festival (FICDEH) — the country’s largest human rights film festival — in August and its Nordic premiere at Stockholm Pride’s Biocafe Tellus Heritage Theater./coa

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