Filipino narrative short film Ang Pagbabalik ni Max Buwaya is gaining international recognition after securing official selections at two overseas film festivals.

Written and directed by John Luke Miraflor, the film will screen at the Diwa Filipino Film Festival in Seattle, Washington, this October and compete in the Foreign Language Narrative Short category at the 7th Gandhara Independent Film Festival in Pakistan this month.

Set in 1989, the story follows Rody, an aging former wrestling villain known as Max Buwaya, who struggles to move on from his glory days. Determined to reclaim a championship title, he trains for one last match while confronting questions of identity, purpose and the cost of chasing an unfinished dream.

Miraflor said the film explores “the quiet tragedy of holding onto a past identity” through the journey of a forgotten wrestler whose fighting spirit remains intact long after the spotlight has faded.

The filmmaker, who also served as the film's cinematographer, is no stranger to the international festival circuit, with previous works screening at events including Flickerfest, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Interfilm Berlin and the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.