PH offers $180,000 grants to Hollywood filmmakers

The government is offering grants of up to $180,000 (P10 million) to attract Hollywood filmmakers as part of its campaign to position the Philippines as a premier destination for international productions.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said this is being offered under the Expanding the Bridge initiative, which aims to encourage major film and television projects to shoot in the country while promoting local talent and content.

Aside from the said grant, the program also offers a cash rebate of up to 25 percent under the Film Location Incentive Program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which is under the Office of the President.

“With these incentives, we are not just making the Philippines a cost-effective filming location, we are offering Hollywood a creative partnership,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said in a statement.

“Our filmmakers, crew and postproduction teams are world-class, and our stories have universal appeal,” she said.

In a joint press conference on March 6, Roque, alongside Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, announced the program seen introducing “game-changing financial incentives designed to position the Philippines as a premier destination for cinematic excellence.”

In a separate interview on Thursday, Roque said the DTI alone has a budget of P300 million to give out as incentives for the local film industry.

She said that they intend to double the budget this year and to partner with the private sector to raise funding.

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In November last year, the FDCP signed a partnership with global screen sector consultancy Olsberg SPI to develop a strategic road map for the future of the local film industry.

The FDCP said the road map would underpin its main priorities of strengthening the country’s domestic film industry and expanding the potential to attract more international productions.

“Currently, both the Philippine and international screen sectors face challenges such as highly competitive funding opportunities, rising production costs and the increasing need to constantly evolve interdisciplinary technical and creative skill sets,” it added.

“Recognizing the necessity to address these challenges and adapt to the rapidly evolving global screen sector, the road map will provide actionable recommendations to create a sustainable, inclusive and competitive Philippine film industry,” it said.