Third Annual Festival Returns Sept. 3 – 6 with Screenings at TCL Chinese Theatre and Closing Night Gala at The Beverly Hilton

LOS ANGELES (JUNE 25, 2026) — The Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), the premier event celebrating Philippine and diaspora cinema on the global stage, announced today it will honor world renowned actress and singer Lea Salonga with the MIFF Icon Award in a special tribute during its Closing Night Gala Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Also nominated by the MIFF for a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, the Tony and Olivier Award-winner will be inducted later this year, specifically in the Live Theater category, making history as the first Filipina ever to receive the famed honor. 

Also, the MIFF celebrates its third year running Sept. 3-6, 2026 and returning to its Hollywood home at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The film line-up, programming, additional honorees and gala details will be announced in the coming months. 

“Lea Salonga is a legend whose extraordinary career has broken barriers and inspires generations of Filipino and Asian artists globally,” said Lisa Lew, Executive Producer of the MIFF. “From sweeping major theater awards to voicing classic Disney heroines and starring on screens across both the U.S. and the Philippines, she is the ultimate ambassador for Filipino excellence. The Manila International Film Festival is proud to champion Lea’s achievements through our Hollywood Walk of Fame nomination, and we look forward to celebrating her legacy with our Icon Award at the Closing Night Gala.”

Lea Salonga is the globally renowned, award-winning legend whose acclaimed performance originating the role of  “Kim” in Miss Saigon earned her Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards for Best Actress. Beloved by audiences worldwide, she is highly celebrated for her work in iconic Philippine and U.S. films including Sana Maulit Muli, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Pik Pak Boom, Yellow Rose and The Vale. A designated Disney Legend, Salonga captured hearts worldwide as the timeless singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. She also recently lent her voice to KPop Demon Hunters as the singing voice of Celine. She next stars in DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated film, Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, opening in theaters Sept. 25, 2026. Across stage, film, television and music, Salonga continually brings the best of Filipino artistry to the global stage, inspiring performers and fans worldwide.

“MIFF was founded three years ago with a simple but firm belief that Philippine cinema deserves a stage in Hollywood. Filipino filmmakers and artists have stories the world needs to see, and MIFF exists to help assure Hollywood is the room where that happens,” said Winston Emano, Producer of the MIFF. “As we return to the TCL Chinese Theatre and The Beverly Hilton, we look forward to welcoming filmmakers, artists, industry leaders and expanding audiences and awareness for Philippine cinema.”

Since its founding in 2024, MIFF has screened more than 20 films and recognized artists including Boots Anson Roa, Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, Tia Carrere, Vilma Santos, and more through its awards competition and annual Closing Night Gala.

For more information and the latest updates, visit ManilaInternationalFilmFest.com, and find us on YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook at @manilaintlfilmfest. 

About Lea Salonga

Multiple award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga is renowned across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. Lea most recently starred on Broadway in Old Friends (alongside Bernadette Peters) after headlining the Los Angeles and London productions.

Lea is best known for her Tony Award winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to the Tony, she has won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards. She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the beloved show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. On Broadway, Lea starred in the 2018 Broadway revival of Once on This Island as the Goddess of Love, Erzulie. The show’s return to the Broadway stage earned a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and also garnered Lea and the cast a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. She has also been seen on Broadway in Here Lies Love, Allegiance and Flower Drum Song.

Many fans of all ages recognize Lea as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II. For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, the Walt Disney Company bestowed her with the honor of Disney Legend.

In addition to her stage and screen credits, Lea served as a judge on the Philippines hit version of The Voice, including the ratings juggernaut The Voice Kids. She has released multiple solo albums, toured the world with legendary popopera quartet Il Divo, and received rave reviews for her many cabaret engagements, including a record setting run at New York’s 54 Below. Her latest album, Sounding Joy | The Holiday Album was released by Center Stage Records last November.

In her 45-year career, Lea has performed for six Philippine presidents, four American Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Joe Biden), and for Diana, Princess of Wales and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was honored by Time Magazine as a Time100 Impact Award Recipient and received the Gold House 2023 Gold Legend Award.

About Manila International Film Festival
The Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) is a premier Los Angeles-based film festival dedicated to promoting and uplifting Philippine cinema on the global stage. Now in its third year, MIFF brings Filipino filmmakers, artists and industry leaders to Hollywood through film screenings, an awards competition and a Closing Night Gala, connecting Philippine storytelling with global audiences. For more information, visit ManilaInternationalFilmFest.com and on social media @manilaintlfilmfest.

###

Media Contact

Tentpole Group

Christina Canseco

christina@tentpolegroup.com