Lav Diaz

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Lav Diaz is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critic known for his slow, lengthy movies that explore social and political issues in the Philippines.

Early life
- Born December 30, 1958, in Columbio, Cotabato, Philippines.
- Grew up during violent conflicts between Muslim groups and the government; moved with his family to Tacurong for safety.
- Graduated with an economics degree from Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, in 1980.

Career
- Moved to Manila, did various jobs, and wrote about music and film.
- Worked as a production assistant on Balintataw; wrote comics for Ang Masa and We Forum.
- After attending film workshops, made his first film Banlaw (1985), a short about protest against the Marcos regime; followed by Step No, Step Yes (1988).
- Wrote short stories under the name Bahagharing Timog (Southern Rainbow) and later studied filmmaking in New York City.
- Gained international attention with Batang West Side (2001) and Evolution of a Filipino Family (2004), both known for long storytelling.
- Norte, the End of History (2013) brought him wide festival notice, including Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
- Won many major prizes:
- Golden Leopard for From What Is Before at Locarno (2014).
- Alfred Bauer Prize (Silver Bear) at Berlin for A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (2016).
- Golden Lion at Venice for The Woman Who Left (2016).
- Venice Horizons Best Director for Genus Pan (2020).
- Guggenheim Fellowship (2010), Prince Claus Award (2014), and Radcliffe Fellowship at Harvard (2016–2017).
- Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2017.
- Recent work includes Essential Truths of the Lake ( premiered at Locarno 2023), Phantosmia (Venice 2024 out of competition), and Magellan (Cannes 2025 out of competition; Philippines’ Oscar submission). He also continues to act and work on new projects.

Political views
- In December 2023, Diaz was among filmmakers calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to reach civilians there.

Selected filmography (highlights)
- 1985 Banlaw (short)
- 1988 Step No, Step Yes
- 1998 The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion (Serafin Geronimo)
- 2001 Batang West Side
- 2004 Evolution of a Filipino Family
- 2006 Heremias (Book One)
- 2007 Death in the Land of Encantos
- 2008 Melancholia
- 2013 Norte, the End of History
- 2014 From What Is Before
- 2016 A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery
- 2016 The Woman Who Left
- 2018 Season of the Devil
- 2019 The Halt
- 2021 History of Ha
- 2022 When the Waves Are Gone
- 2024 Phantosmia
- 2025 Magellan

Lav Diaz is widely regarded as a leading figure in slow cinema, using long takes and expansive runtimes to give viewers time to reflect on Philippine life and history.