Bigger dreams, brighter spotlight for PH cinema
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is ramping up efforts to support Filipino artists through expanded incentives and training programs, FDCP chairperson Jose Javier Reyes announced.
He emphasized the importance of international recognition and industry development. “Each time you go to a festival, you realize that you are part of a much larger community,” Reyes said. “When you see Tilda Swinton and Bong Joon-ho, you understand that you belong to the same world of storytellers. There is something much larger that we are a part of.”
During a gathering organized by the FDCP, he said the agency will prioritize actor training.
“We’re organizing a workshop to help actors create self-audition tapes and exploring a program with the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) to strengthen collaboration between actors and directors,” he said.
For producers, the FDCP is expanding incentives, particularly for short films, documentaries, and animated projects.
“We have funding support for major incubation projects. If you have a dream project as a writer, you can pitch it to us, and we’ll include it in an incubation workshop before presenting it to producers,” Reyes explained. “If we secure sufficient government funding, the FDCP will match-fund the project as long as it carries international value.”
The agency is also working on strengthening international collaborations. Reyes disclosed that the FDCP aims to finalize a coproduction deal with France during the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in October. “If we secure this agreement, Filipino films coproduced with France will receive the same benefits as French films,” he said.
As Filipino films continue gaining traction on the global stage, the FDCP remains committed to nurturing the industry.
“Everything we do is toward that goal because we see the promise,” Reyes said. “Right now, our fingers are crossed for Filipino films eyeing Cannes. The international stage is within reach—we just need to keep pushing forward.”
Two victories
The FDCP-organized dinner also celebrated the victories of two Filipino films on the international stage—Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine” and Jaime Pacena’s “Kono Basho.”
Their wins at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and the 31st Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinemas, respectively, are not just individual triumphs, but collective victories for Filipino filmmakers.
“Amidst these very challenging and most turbulent times, we occasionally come up with glimpses of hope and opportunities for celebration,” Reyes said. “What better way to celebrate Philippine cinema than with two Filipino films that have warranted international recognition?”
Jadaone’s “Sunshine,” which won the prestigious Crystal Bear at Berlinale, marks a historic moment for the country.
“Our last win from Berlinale was 20 years ago for ‘Magnifico.’ It took two decades for another Filipino film to be recognized in this way,” Reyes noted.
“Sunshine,” starring Maris Racal and Elijah Canlas, tells the story of a young gymnast dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.
Meanwhile, “Kono Basho”—which translates to “This Place”—earned the High School Jury Award in Vesoul, a recognition that Pacena cherishes.
“It was such a great feeling to know that young European audiences connected with our story. That’s something I really hoped for—not just as a filmmaker, but also as a father and a teacher,” Pacena shared.
Both films faced significant hurdles before reaching international acclaim. Jadaone revealed that securing funding was a major challenge. “Not many people know that we struggled to finish ‘Sunshine’ because of financial constraints. We sought help from private investors and pitched to the FDCP. Thanks to their support, we were finally able to complete the film.”
For “Kono Basho,” lead actress Gabby Padilla reflected on the whirlwind nature of their production. “To this day, I don’t know how we managed to pull it off. I thought I had weeks to prepare, but I was wrong—it was happening the very next day. But you know what they say, the spontaneous projects are the ones that push through,” she said, laughing.
Boosting morale
With these recent wins, Reyes emphasized the importance of international film festivals in shaping the future of Philippine cinema. He believes that these victories boost the morale of an industry struggling to recover, especially after months of underwhelming box office performance.
“Since December, we’ve yet to hear of a film that has truly dominated the box office. But then, we see this international recognition—it gives us hope,” he said.
Beyond uplifting spirits, Reyes stressed the need to establish the Philippines as a filmmaking powerhouse. He pointed out that its future rests on the shoulders of new and emerging filmmakers who need the right opportunities to thrive.
The victories of “Sunshine” and “Kono Basho” also serve as a challenge, Reyes noted. For years, the dream of winning an Academy Award has been a lofty aspiration for Filipino filmmakers. He stressed that Oscar success doesn’t come from merely showing up in Hollywood—it starts with building a reputation through international festivals.
For the artists involved, the festival experience was nothing short of transformative. Racal recalled an unforgettable moment at Berlinale when she saw Swinton. “In one of her speeches, she shared that Berlinale was the first festival she ever attended, long before she had acting experience. That made me realize that even icons and legends start somewhere. I came home with a full heart, inspired to make more films,” she said.
Canlas described Berlinale as a dream come true. “I’m a huge film fan, and to attend one of the Big 3 festivals was surreal. I even ran into Bong Joon-ho and Michel Gondry—I couldn’t miss the chance to take a photo,” he recalled.
With the momentum gained from “Sunshine” and “Kono Basho,” there’s hope that more Filipino films will find success internationally. As Reyes put it, “We should see the world as our audience. These films have crossed boundaries and proven that, yes, the Filipino can.”
