Lav Diaz

Lav Diaz is a filmmaker based in the Philippines. He’s renowned for his contemplative narrative style and extensive exploration of the Filipino socio-political landscape through cinema.

Born in 1958 in Cotabato, Diaz has profoundly influenced the international film scene with his unique approach to duration and storytelling. His work often delves into the themes of history, suffering, and the human condition, marked by a style that involves long takes and black-and-white visuals.

Diaz’s major films include Norte, the End of History (2013), From What Is Before (2014), and The Woman Who Left (2016), which have garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards at prestigious international film festivals such as the Venice Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. His films are exhibited widely, challenging audiences with their length and depth, pushing the boundaries of conventional filmmaking to create thoughtful and provocative narratives.

Accolades

Best Film, 2025

Lav Diaz and Joaquim Sapinho and Marta Alves and Albert Serra and Montse Triola and Paul Soriano and Mark Victor and Stefano Centini

Best Film, 2025

Lav Diaz and Joaquim Sapinho and Marta Alves and Albert Serra and Montse Triola and Paul Soriano and Mark Victor and Stefano Centini

Magellan

Magellan is a navigator rebelling against the power of the King, due to his humanism and belief in justice. But once he is finally in…

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Best Cinematography, 2025

Artur Tort and Lav Diaz

Best Cinematography, 2025

Artur Tort and Lav Diaz

Magellan

Lav Diaz is a filmmaker based in the Philippines. He’s renowned for his contemplative narrative style and extensive exploration of the Filipino socio-political landscape through…

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Best Film, 2022

Lav Diaz and Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew and Jean-Christophe Simon and Joaquim Sapinho and Marta Alves

Best Film, 2022

Lav Diaz and Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew and Jean-Christophe Simon and Joaquim Sapinho and Marta Alves

When the Waves are Gone (Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon)

Lieutenant Hermes Papauran, one of the best investigators in the Philippines, has reached a deep moral crossroad. As a member of the police force, he…

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Best Director, 2022

Best Director, 2022

Lav Diaz

When the Waves are Gone (Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon)

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Achievement in Directing, 2019

Lav Diaz

Achievement in Directing, 2019

Lav Diaz

The Halt (Ang Hupa)

Lavrente Indico Diaz or Lav Diaz has he is known is a filmmaker from the Philippines and one of the most famous names on the…

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Films

Magellan

Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan

Magellan

Magellan is a navigator rebelling against the power of the King, due to his humanism and belief in justice. But once he is finally in…

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When the Waves are Gone (Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon)

Philippines, France, Denmark, Portugal

When the Waves are Gone (Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon)

Lieutenant Hermes Papauran, one of the best investigators in the Philippines, has reached a deep moral crossroad. As a member of the police force, he…

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2019

The Halt (Ang Hupa)

Philippines

2019

The Halt (Ang Hupa)

The year is 2034 in Manila and following a series of massive volcanic eruptions in the Celebes Sea, Southeast Asia has literally gone dark. As…

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2014

Lorna

Philippines

2014

Lorna

Lorna is about a 60 year old woman who had failed relationships from her past but still decides on taking the chance to find the…

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The Asia Pacific Screen Academy expresses its respect for and acknowledgement of the South East Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of country, including the custodial communities on whose land works are created and celebrated by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We also pay our respects to Elders, past and present. We recognise the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples continue to play in storytelling and celebration spaces.

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