Seeing Ourselves On Screen: Why Representation Matters

I was scrolling on my phone when I first saw that there was a new DreamWorks Animation movie centered around Filipino culture coming out. Forgotten Island is about 2 Filipino best friends who find themselves transported to a mysterious island inspired by Filipino folklore, and encounter mythological creatures that uncover deeper connections to their identity and heritage. I was honestly really excited finding out, and it made me think about why.

In recent years, there’s been an increasing Filipino representation in the media. Whether it’s music artists like Olivia Rodrigo, small scenes of Tagalog in The Pitt, or quick references in Spider-Man: No Way Home, this representation might seem minor to most people, but to Filipinos, it’s exciting. It ends up all over social media, with everyone reposting and pointing it out like one word or one line, or even the fact that someone is part Filipino. There’s an instant sense of recognition and pride. It’s funny, but it also says a lot. Those little moments create connection, even if they are brief. We celebrate the smallest things because for a long time, that’s all we’ve really had.

While it hasn’t come out yet, Forgotten Island seems different. It’s not just a small reference; it’s something that actually centers Filipino culture. That matters, not just for Filipinos, but for Asian representation in general, because Asian stories in the media have been limited or shaped by stereotypes, and when they were represented, it didn’t feel complete.

When representation is done right, it goes beyond just casting people. It’s about telling stories in a way that is meaningful and allows people to see themselves on screen (not just as background characters), in a way that reflects their identity and experiences. It builds a sense of belonging, challenges those stereotypes, and helps people to understand perspectives outside of their own. I also think it opens the door for more diverse stories or lessons to be told in the future. At some point, it stops being just about getting excited over a single word in Tagalog and becomes about asking why those moments feel so rare in the first place.

That’s where representation connects to advocacy. It’s about pushing for stories that are more accurate and more inclusive. I’m excited for Forgotten Island not just because it looks interesting, but because it feels like a step forward. Even though it’s technically a “kids” movie, I already know I’ll be watching it when it comes out this fall. If anything, that makes it even better because kids are going to grow up seeing themselves in a way a lot of us didn’t.