Bacolod joins roadmap dev’t for PH film industry

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bacolod City Government officials and Negrense filmmakers met with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and global creative industries research organization Olsberg•SPI to discuss the development of a strategic roadmap for the future of the country’s film industry.

Councilor Em Legaspi Ang, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marty Go, Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) 2024 Director Seymour Sanchez, and Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions head Dr. Mae Ferrer-Llamas and colleagues Zabrina Bentley and Aisel Joyce Tupas welcomed Project Development Officers Rachelle Villaluna and Kianne Cho of the FDCP Policy and Planning Unit and Olsberg•SPI representatives Joshua Hines-Dedman and Kayleigh Hughes at the Office of the City Mayor last January 16.

The consultative meeting focused on the Bacolod filmmaking industry, the city’s pitch to become a UNESCO Creative City of Film, the recently concluded BFF, and proposals for a filmmaking workshop or bootcamp. 

The Bacolod City Government expressed its willingness to foster partnerships and collaborations to help further improve the city’s creative industry.

After the meeting, regional filmmakers and industry professionals from Negros Occidental gathered at Cinematheque Centre Negros to meet with the same team from FDCP and Olsberg•SPI for a separate group discussion organized by the Sine Negrense Film Festival.

FDCP is collaborating with Olsberg•SPI to come up with a roadmap that “will underpin the FDCP’s main priorities of strengthening the country’s domestic film industry and expanding the potential to attract more international productions.”

Filmmakers from BFF, Sine Negrense, Margaha Film Festival, La Salle Film Society, Hinigaran National High School, and others engaged “in meaningful discussions on workforce development, infrastructure, production incentives, distribution challenges, and sustainable practices in filmmaking” with the goal of strengthening the Philippine film industry and amplifying its presence on the global stage. 

Last year, ten filmmakers showcased their short films with the theme “Stories with a Smile” during the Bacolod Film Festival held at SM City Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central cinemas from September 12 to 15. “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair), written and directed by Vincent Joseph Entuna, won BFF Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

FDCP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jose Javier “Direk Joey” Reyes, who also headed the BFF 2024 jury, and Olsberg•SPI CEO Leon Forde signed a strategic roadmap partnership to “deliver goals and targets that will address challenges and gaps, and will also outline the strategic direction of the Philippine film industry in the next five to 10 years.”

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