Eraserheads docu wins Best International Feature at Greek film festival

The acclaimed documentary, "Eraserheads: Combo on the Run," has officially clinched the Best International Feature Documentary award at the prestigious 2025 Ierapetra International Documentary and Film Festival, held in the picturesque setting of Crete, Greece.

Directed by the talented Maria Diane Ventura, who was present to personally receive the honor, the film stood out among a strong field of 38 international productions. These included entries from countries such as Italy, Spain, Hungary, the US, and Portugal, making its win a significant achievement. As one of the few Asian nominees in the International Feature Length Documentaries category, it successfully competed against films from Hong Kong, India, Iran, China, and Turkey, also serving as the festival's closing feature.

Expressing her immense pride, Ventura shared that representing the Philippines "in any capacity" is always an honor. She articulated her joy, stating, "As a filmmaker, I’m happy if even one person connects with our work, so it’s incredibly thrilling and inspiring to see our film resonate beyond our shores." She further added, "We set out to tell a story close to our hearts, and somehow it found its way across oceans… It’s a privilege to carry our country’s voice and music from the Eraserheads, no less."

This latest triumph follows another notable milestone for the documentary. Earlier in July, "Eraserheads: Combo on the Run" made history as the very first Filipino-produced film to be screened at the renowned San Diego Comic-Con. Looking ahead, there are exciting discussions underway regarding a potential theatrical release for the film overseas.

The documentary itself offers an in-depth chronicle of the legendary Filipino band, Eraserheads, delving into their journey from formation through their eventual disbandment and highly anticipated reunion. It casts a spotlight on the individual contributions of its iconic members: Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro.

Now in its 12th year, the annual Ierapetra International Documentary and Film Festival, established in 2014 by journalist and filmmaker Eleni Vlassi, is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing compelling works from across the globe through a diverse program of screenings, workshops, lectures, seminars, art exhibitions, and performances.