‘Forgotten Island’ Brings an Unforgettable Filipino Fan Fest to San Diego Comic-Con

This fall, Dreamworks Animation will finally take audiences to Forgotten Island. On The Nerds of Color, we’ve been huge advocates for this movie, truly inspired by what it’s doing to shed light on Filipino mythology and culture in Hollywood. Furthermore, it’s a really special story about friendship and the power of memory. So when we heard that the film would have a presence at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con (in the form of a panel, a press day of interviews, a cocktail hour reception, and a screening) we knew we absolutely needed to be there to show our love and support for this magical motion picture!

It’s no secret that we’ve been supportive of this film ever since it was first announced. We were previously also lucky enough to bring you our conversations with stars H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, and writers/directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish). However, when a film makes it to San Diego Comic-Con with a major panel in a room like Ballroom 20 (the second largest at the Convention), you know it has the makings of something truly culturally game-changing.

I believe that to be true for Forgotten Island. The film debuted to rave reviews both at CinemaCon earlier this year in April (a work-in-progress screening of the film), and now via a final cut at San Diego Comic-Con. And with good reason. It was both a labor of love for all involved, and incredibly personal to directors Mercado and Crawford, as well as the film’s stars. As such, they touched upon the film during the Ballroom 20 panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

BALLROOM 20

“This film is a love letter to Filipino culture, our families, and also animation,” Mercado began. “You know, we love the medium, and we’re also excited to continue to share this amazing, rich Filipino mythology that I don’t think a lot of people have seen in mainstream movies. So we’re very excited.”

When asked about what made the duo of Mercado and Crawford decide to tell an original story centered around Filipino culture, Mercado stated, “The mythology is like a reflection of the Western counterparts that everybody knows so well… Joel, you’re always [questioning] why [we go] to the same well where other countries have their own unique take on vampires, demons, shapeshifters. The Manananggal is one of our favorites… She’s a demon woman. She can split herself in two, and she’s played by the amazing Lea Salonga.”

Crawford went on to describe the specifics around the film being inspired by their friendship. “Just to finish a film is near impossible. And so Januel and I have been able to work together for so many years, and there’s this bond and this friendship that you go through with these movies. And you develop the shorthand. And so as we were developing this story… there’s so much that I think we constantly find in themes we want to explore [about] being in the moment, being present, appreciating the people that you’re sharing the journey with. And so it was very organic in terms of how we developed the story, where it’s just things we love.”

Naturally it would be impossible to tell a story about friendship without two pals to center the story on. As such, the filmmaking duo next introduced the other duo at the center of the film: H.E.R. and Soberano. The stars were incredibly excited to be there, as it was both of their first times at the world-famous convention.

When asked about what joining the project meant to H.E.R., the pop superstar replied, “It’s a dream come true! I’m a huge animation fan, and that’s been a dream of mine to be in an animated film. So I’m just so honored. I was gonna come here as a fan, so I’m so excited that I’m here, as me; as my character. It’s an honor to work with these guys. They’re so much fun to work with, and Liza is amazing. So it’s just been the most fun experience.”

Soberano echoed H.E.R.’s statements. “I’ve had the greatest time. It’s truly been such a dream come true, being part of this amazing film with such amazing creators. Gabby has been so sweet and warm and helpful. So, this is a dream come true, and I’m so incredibly honored. Thank you so much for having me.”

She continued to describe the experience of working together with H.E.R. in the sound booth recording lines from the film alongside her, and how the experience made them closer. Describing the setup of the room, Soberano stated, “The door was glass, so [H.E.R.] was right in front of me on the other side of the door, and it was great. It was very helpful; helpful in building our chemistry as friends. But also there was one scene in the movie where we have a little musical moment, so she helped bring out the energy in that for me because I was a little shy and hesitant to do it. But yeah, it was so much fun, and that was our first time like actually meeting as well, like getting to know each other. So it was very helpful.”

Soberano and H.E.R. were, of course, not the only ones in the sound booth. Joining them was the third part of their Wild Pack — the hilarious and energetic weredog named Raww, played by the incomparable Dave Franco. Franco came out to celebrate with the rest of the cast, and gave audiences a glimpse of who his character, Raww, is. “Yeah, Raww. 2w’s. He’s a weredog. It’s like a werewolf, but the dog version. He says stuff like, ‘Oh, that’s gnarly’ or ‘Man, I just got kicked in the nards.’ Basically, his whole vocabulary starts with nards. It was a good time… without giving too much away, he is someone on the surface who is kind of posturing and pretending. Maybe he’s more confident than he really is, which I relate to in this moment. But deep down, he’s the only weredog on the island. He’s lonely. People don’t quite understand him, and so he experiences this incredible night with these two, and he just wants to hold on to that for dear life.”

H.E.R. and Soberano also discussed their favorite Dreamworks films, with H.E.R. being a hardcore Madagascar fan. H.E.R. in particular dove into her particular nerdiness for animation by discussing how she even volunteered to intern at the campus for a day. “I asked if I could come to DreamWorks to be an intern for a day, and they were like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ So I came and I got to see all the different departments, and it just gave me a new respect for the process. And I got to move Joe’s face a little bit. It was so much fun. Yeah, it was like the coolest experience.”

Crawford went into detail about how Soberano and H.E.R. influenced their characters of Raisa and Jo. “We knew right away when we first met Liza that [her] ability to be so in touch with grounding a character and just your own experience of going from the Philippines to the U.S. was built into this story about leaving that hometown. And also in terms of H.E.R.’s and Liza’s personalities, they’re playing characters, but they’re bringing themselves into it… Jo is kind of this wild card, a little bit more like loose with stuff, and then like Raisa is very organized and put together.”

He also discussed how the spectacular score and songs from the film came together. “So ‘Parallel Worlds’ by BINI was written by our composer Nathan Matthew David and Sheena. Hearing the beautifully mixed single online is not the same as hearing when we were in the recording with BINI. Beautiful voices. Hearing it live was just so every single one of them. I wish you guys could experience that.”

Naturally, the moment Crawford called that out, the lights dimmed and the audience got to experience the power of BINI firsthand with a live performance of their hit single, “Parallel Worlds”‘ from the film’s soundtrack.

We were also given the opportunity to interview BINI, which we will be bringing to you on The Nerds of Color very soon!

FORGOTTEN ISLAND HAPPY HOUR

Following the panel we were given the opportunity to attend a very special, and incredibly fun happy hour for the film. In attendance were BINI, H.E.R., Soberano, Franco, and of course Mercado and Crawford. The event was truly epic, with the filmmakers and pop group playing games and enjoying a fun spread of lumpia and Jollibee. Check out photos from the very chill, and very fun reception here.

Forgotten Island Special Screening

Later during the evening, a few lucky Comic-Con attendees were treated to a very special advanced screening of the film. Unlike those at CinemaCon, the SDCC audience was among the very first to see the actual final cut of the movie. Furthermore, they were also treated to a very special intro from the filmmakers, as well as Soberano, H.E.R., and Franco. Check out some photos from that screening here:

While Forgotten Island having a large presence at San Diego Comic-Con may seem to some as typical film marketing from a major motion picture studio, it actually represents something much deeper. It represents a shift, in which globally we are starting to look further into other cultures for rich stories and representation, and finally integrate those aspects into our pop cultural landscape seamlessly. It also represents a major willingness from a motion picture studio to foster and support a film centered on Filipino mythology and inspired by Filipino culture, which is honestly not a statement we have had the ability to say, frankly, ever. The move to incorporate and showcase the film proudly at a venue as large as San Diego Comic-Con, and in a room as well known as Ballroom 20, proves that Universal Pictures and Dreamworks Animation are completely proud of this movie and what it represents to Filipino culture everywhere. And honestly, as a Filipino fanboy who has been attending Comic-Con since 2008, that’s something simply unforgettable.

We’ll have more coverage of Forgotten Island coming your way, including our interview with BINI at Comic-Con! So stay tuned to The Nerds of Color for more coming very soon.

Forgotten Island officially hits theaters September 25, 2026!