The ongoing West Philippine Sea (WPS) tension has spilled into the cultural arena after Chinese officials attempted to block the screening of a Philippine-made documentary at an international film festival in New Zealand.

The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland requested that New Zealand's Doc Edge Festival cancel the screening of Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, the organizers confirmed in a statement on Saturday, 5 July, “in the interest of transparency.”

The consulate claimed the film is “rife with disinformation and false propaganda, serving as a political tool for the Philippines.”

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama, the documentary won Best Picture in the “Tides of Change” category at the 2025 Doc Edge Festival, an Oscar-qualifying event.

The film portrays the hardships faced by Filipino fishermen who risk their lives in the WPS to support their families, alongside the efforts of Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard personnel who deliver supplies to Filipino troops stationed on contested features during rotation and re-provision (RORE) missions.

Its depiction of Chinese presence in disputed waters reportedly made it too politically sensitive for some of the festival’s corporate backers.

The film was originally set to debut at CinePanalo, a Philippine festival organized by retail giant Puregold. However, it was withdrawn under what organizers called “external pressure” — widely interpreted as referring to political sensitivities related to the WPS.

Sources suggest Puregold’s business ties to Chinese suppliers influenced the decision, making the company cautious of repercussions.

Villarama was given an ultimatum: pull the film or risk jeopardizing the entire festival. She chose to withdraw, citing solidarity with other filmmakers.

“Who runs our country now, if we can’t even screen a film about our own people?” she asked.

Pushing through obstacles

Despite the setback in the Philippines, Food Delivery made its international debut in New Zealand.

Before its premiere on 30 June in Auckland, the Chinese Consulate-General again moved to block the screening, warning that the film could “mislead the public” and harm China–New Zealand relations.

“We hope that you will act in the interest of public and China–New Zealand relations accountability by refraining from screening this documentary,” the consulate said in a formal appeal.

But festival organizers stood firm, affirming their independence.

“Doc Edge stands by our kaupapa and the festival’s independence and curatorial freedom,” they said.

“We are, however, happy to present the perspective of the Chinese Consulate-General in the interest of transparency and fairness. We encourage audiences to seek out their own sources, view the film, and engage in open conversation and dialogue.”

Phl fires back

The Philippine government was quick to support the documentary.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) praised it for portraying the struggles of Filipino fishermen and personnel operating in disputed waters.

“The AFP commends the film for powerfully capturing the everyday bravery and unwavering determination of Filipino fishermen and AFP personnel stationed in the West Philippine Sea,” the AFP said in a statement.

“As guardians of Philippine sovereignty, the AFP remains committed to collaborating with the creative sector in preserving the truth and honoring those on the frontlines.”

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, also criticized China's interference.

“This isn’t just a cinematic endeavor — it’s a bold exposé that shines a spotlight on a critical geopolitical flashpoint, revealing the stark realities faced by those on the front lines of this dispute,” he posted on social media.

“China’s response? A predictable threat and pressure aimed at burying the truth before it can reach a global audience. However, this documentary film, along with New Zealand’s refusal to back down, threatens to dismantle the carefully constructed narrative that China has peddled to legitimize its overreach,” he added.

Cannot be silenced 

The Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS), which counters disinformation, also condemned China’s move as an attack on free speech.

“At CIRIS, we firmly believe that in the face of disinformation, misinformation, and malign influence (DMMI) campaigns, especially by foreign actors, transparent access to credible storytelling is a powerful defense,” it said.

CIRIS lamented that China’s “attempt to suppress” the film only highlights its significance.

“Food Delivery delivers an unflinching, human‑centered portrayal of sacrifice, struggle, and perseverance. Its message is more urgent than ever—and the PRC’s attempt at suppression only underscores the documentary’s importance,” CIRIS added.

CIRIS called on film festivals, media platforms, and audiences to resist pressure and defend freedom of expression.

“Let this film’s powerful narrative be heard in full, unfiltered, and without fear,” it said.

Defied censorship

Earlier, New Zealand’s 1News reported that China labeled the film “disinformation and false propaganda” intended to support what it calls the Philippines’ “illegitimate claims” in the South China Sea (SCS).

Despite the protest, Food Delivery premiered as scheduled.

Doc Edge described it as “a banned film that must be seen.”

Previously pulled from Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival in March, the documentary found a broader global audience through its screening in New Zealand.

The WPS — Manila’s designation for the portion of the SCS within its exclusive economic zone — has long been a flashpoint in the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

On 16 July 2016, an international arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruled in favor of the Philippines, affirming with finality the country’s sovereign rights over its EEZ in the WPS.

Both the Philippines and China are UNCLOS signatories, legally bound by its rulings.

Still, China maintains its sweeping claim over nearly the entire SCS, overlapping with the maritime entitlements of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan.