News and Updates

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, JUNE 9, 2021 — The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) proudly showcased the diverse locations, film incentives, high-quality equipment, and especially the creative and hardworking people of the Philippine film industry at the International Film & TV Online Market that ran alongside the 24th edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) and Shanghai TV Festival from June 6 to 14 in a hybrid format. 

On June 7, “The Philippines - Let’s Create Together!” presentation featured “The 10 Funtastic Reasons to Film in the Philippines,” introduced the selected Filipino film in the International Panorama Short Film Section, “Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss” by Sonny Calvento produced by Southern Lantern Studios, and presented the Philippine delegation composed of six production companies.

The delegate companies are the North Luzon Cinema Guild, Digital Dreams Inc., Atom & Anne Mediaworks, Daluyong Studios, Globe Studios, and Man Overboard Productions. Their company pages on the SIFF online platform featured five of their projects, and they were given complimentary passes and access to online meetings and events.

“The Filipinos and the Chinese are still bound in affinity, historically and culturally. Our similarities and sensibilities as ethnic siblings are evident in our cities, our language, our businesses, and many artistic and cultural aspects,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño in her opening remarks. 

“It makes perfect sense for us then to seek partnerships and collaborations with China in the field of cinema where we can further enjoy films from China as well as tap into their market and introduce to them the essence of Filipino films. The goal is for us to activate co-productions between China and the Philippines and for us to discover or rediscover stories that unite the two cultures together,” she continued.

Technical Consultant Agathe Vinson of the FDCP’s FilmPhilippines Office further discussed the FilmPhilippines Incentives offered by the national film agency: Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP), International Co-production Fund (ICOF), ASEAN Co-production Fund (ACOF), and Film Location Engagement Desk (FLEX). 

FDCP’s FilmPhippines was also given a complimentary booth during the online market, which included a company page on the SIFF platform, complimentary passes, access to online meetings and events, and an option to hold a pre-recorded event on the platform — “The Philippines - Let’s Create Together!” that premiered on June 7 at 5 p.m. 

Since its formation in 1933, the SIFF has become one of the most important festivals in Asia and the world, where past events have featured films from Filipino filmmakers. Paolo Villaluna, who is part of the jury in this year’s competition, was awarded with the Golden Goblet, the highest prize of the festival, for his film “Pauwi Na” in 2017.

Cover photo features FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño giving her opening remarks at the “The Philippines - Let’s Create Together!” presentation