PhiliPPinE AchiEvEmEntS - Film Development Council of the

Newsletter Vol.8 No.1
Philippine achievements
in film celebrated in French Riviera gathering
The Philippine films included in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival
D
elegates, personalities and celebrities from
the world over came together to celebrate the
Philippines’ recent achievements in film. Former
Givenchy model Teresita “Tetta” Agustin and her French
husband Dr. Christian Baverey opened their home in the French
Riviera last 23rd of May for the event.
“It is a landmark year for the country,” said Briccio
Santos, chairman of the Film Development Council of the
Philippines (FDCP). This year saw the most
number of Filipino films that have been included in
the prestigious Cannes film festival. He adds that
apart from the films, this year also has the most
number of Filipino participants. Chairman Santos
recognizes the importance of the country’s recent
accomplishments in film stating, “As our country
continues to grow and move towards the right
path, so will our cinema. May this resurgence and
this momentum, grounded and humbled by our
history and heritage, continue to lead the way.”
The Hollywood Reporter, adds that, “With
three new features (Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Death
March, Lav Diaz’s Norte Hangganan ng
Kasaysayan and Erik Matti’s On the Job,) and
one restored classic this year (Lino Brocka’s
Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag,) the
Philippines has emerged as a filmmaking force to
reckon with.”
Brocka’s Maynila successfully
premieres at Cannes film festival
L
ino Brocka’s newly restored Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag
had its world premiere at the 67th Cannes Film Festival last May,
taking part in the prestigious Classics section. The successful
restoration was due to the collaborative efforts of the Film Development
Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Martin Scorses’s World Cinema
Foundation (WCF) and L’Immagine Ritrovata, one of the leading film
restoration laboratories in the world.
The premiere was graced by Maynila’s lead actress Ms. Hilda
Koronel and the Filipino filmmakers featured in this year’s fesival: Erik
Matti, Lav Diaz and Adolfo Alix Jr. Together with Koronel, the film was
introduced by FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos, WCF’s Artistic Director
Kent Jones, and Pierre Rissient known to be Lino Brocka’s and
Philippine Cinema’s most ardent supporter in France.
SEE PAGE 3
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Philippine Pavillion to be set-up in Cannes 2014
T
he unprecedented feats in cinema
recently reached by the Philippines in the
Cannes film festival this year has borne
fruit, as the country is ensured a “pavilion” in
next year’s Cannes film festival. This is a big
step up from the booths that the Philippines have
manned in previous Cannes festivals.
Due to the largest Philippine contingency to
ever reach the shores of the French Riviera the
Philippines will have a chance to offer their
products, films and services in Cannes’
International Village.
Since the year it was inaugurated at the
Pavilions in the Cannes International Village
Photo from: Cannes website
Philippine booth at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival
turn of the millennium, the International Village has been
an area where countries are able to successfully market
their goods, as well as meet with producers, distributors,
investors and other professionals in film. Originally
starting with 12 countries and 14 pavilions, the microcosm
of world cinema has grown to include as much as 50
more countries to their list, with a rapidly growing waiting
list. The addition of the Philippine pavilion in the ranks
will allow the country to bolster support for their films,
sell their services to international clients, and offer the
opportunity for forging co-productions with other
countries.
Erik Matti’s OTJ gets North American distribution deal
T
he distribution rights for Erik Matti’s hitmanthriller On the Job, was picked up by a
North American film distributor. WellGo USA
brokered a deal with the director right after the film’s
successful screening at the prestigious Cannes Film
Festival, last May.
Doris Pfardrescher, President of WellGo USA
production of OJT, introducing the film’s cast to the chairman of FDCP
stated that, “‘On The Job’ reiterates that it is an The
from L to R;Dondon Monteverde, FDCP Chairman Santos, Gerald
exciting time for Filipino cinema. We are thrilled we Anderson, Reyver Cruz and Piolo Pascual
were able to acquire the movie before its premiere in Cannes and can’t wait to bring it to audiences in
North America.” Apart from the theatrical release in fall later this year, the deal also includes DVD/Blu-ray
production and VOD (Video On Demand).
With this recent ground-breaking event, Matti is described as a “record-breaker”. Along with his partner
at Reality Entertainment, Dondon Monteverde, they explain that with both WellGo USA and France’s Wild
Side, the distribution deal fetched roughly $350,000, or P12 million. This deal is considered the biggest to
have ever come out from Cannes, and in fact, the biggest to be landed by any Filipino film to date.
Matti, active in the film industry since 1995, is excited and proud at this ground-breaking feat. The
director cites this moment as “significant on so many levels, because it proved that given the right script and
support, Filipino commercial films can make it internationally.”
Film Development Council of the Philippines
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Brocka’s Maynila ...FROM PAGE 1
Martin Scorsese also sent a video
message for the premiere wherein
he praised Brocka’s films for
being
“brave,
extraordinary,
powerful
experiences.”
The
Cannes screening was warmly
received as it was heavily
applauded as the credits rolled.
from left to right; Hilda Koronel and FDCP Chairman Briccio G. Santos introduce Maynila ;
Hilda Koronel and guests at frontrow before the Maynila premiere
Maynila was part of the largest Filipino contingency to ever enter into the Cannes film festival.
Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Death March and Lav Diaz’s Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan were part of the Un Certain
Regarde section, while Erik Matti’s On the Job was competing in the Director’s Fortnight section,
cementing this year as a successful one for Philippine cinema.
FDCP discusses possible co-productions with
prospective international partners
T
he Film Development Council of the
Philippines (FDCP) sought to maximize the
country’s potential for film production, by
meeting with potential international partners during
the week of the Cannes Film Festival last May. Through
their Philippine Film Export Service Office program
(PFESO), the FDCP aims to successfully market their
country as a viable location to shoot productions.
Chairman Briccio G. Santos and Executive
Director Teodoro C. Granados met with several
South African delegates and guests enjoying the celebration
countries to discuss terms for these possibilities.
The countries of Egypt, Turkey, South Africa and Jordan are part of the contingency the FDCP met in
Cannes. Through these meetings, the parties discussed possible co-productions on each country’s home
soil. They also explored the horizons of the best way to implement these projects, whether it is between
the country’s corresponding government units, or if a connection will be made through private companies.
FDCP Announces ‘Genre’ Film Scriptwriting Contest
T
he Film Development Council of the
Philippines (FDCP) is calling all Philippine
scriptwriters to join the 2013 ‘Genre’ Film
Scriptwriting Contest. Scriptwriters are encouraged
to write screenplays confined to: action, comedy,
fantasy, horror, thriller, futuristic and a hybrid of
any two or three genres.
The deadline for all entries is on September 30, 2013. A ‘competition’ committee jury, composed of
writers and experts on cinema, will appropriately be appointed by the FDCP in order to judge the entries
by meritorious processes. By December 2013, a total of 12 winners will be announced, with the hope of
exploring the possibilities of an entire spectrum of cinematic types with vast domestic and global appeal.
The 12 chosen entries will be receiving cash prizes, with the first six best getting P200,000, and the next six
getting P100,000. The FDCP, in partnership with prospective co-producers, will conscript directors to interpret
the films from the winning scripts. The resulting films will be part of the official selection for the Sineng Pambansa
National Film Festival of 2014, which shall be named, “The Masters ‘Genre’ Film Festival”.
Film Development Council of the Philippines
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BBDO Guererro supports the National Film Archives of the Philippines
B
BDO Guererro, one of the Philippines’
top advertising agency, has recently
donated a U-Matic playback machine
to the National Film Archives of the Philippines
(NFAP).
In a ceremonial turnover last June 10 in
Insular Life Building in Makati, a U-Matic
playback machine was turned over to NFAP
believing in the importance of preserving our
nation’s audiovisual heritage. In presence were
BBDO Guerrero Chairman and CEO, David
From left to right; BBDO Guerrero Chairman and CEO, David Guerrero
Guerrero, Film Development Council of the
FDCP Executive Director, Ted Granados and NFAP Head/Director,
Philippines Executive Director, Ted Granados
Bono Olgado
and NFAP Head/Director, Bono Olgado. The
agency is one of the pioneering private companies that are supporting the endeavours of the NFAP.
BBDO Guerrero provided the analog playback machine to aid the inspection and digitization of the
Archives’ videotape collection which comprises 47% of its total collection.
The U-Matic video format was the industry standard for broadcasting in the 1980s until the early 1990s.
Due to the obsolescence of this format, the availability of playback machines and its spare parts are
extremely rare. With the acquisition of the U-Matic playback machine, NFAP’s capability to access videos in
this format and duly digitize them for preservation and access will increase.
Masters of Philippine cinema all set for 2013 Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival
T
welve of the most experienced
directors in Philippine cinema
gear up to astound moviegoers
with their upcoming feature films. Since
the “2013 Sineng Pambansa National
Film Festival All-Masters Edition”
went public last February 2013, the
directors have been filming their individual stories, using their respective hometowns as its backdrop. Presently,
most projects are in the stage of post-production, readying for the premiere on September 7 to 16, 2013,
at all SM Cinemas nationwide.
The official selection consists of films from: Elwood Perez, Romy Suzara, Gil Portes, Maryo J. de los Reyes,
Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, Mel Chionglo, Chito Roño, Tikoy Aguiluz, Joel Lamangan, Carlos Siguion –
Reyna and Jose Javier Reyes.
Through the Film Investment Program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, these selected
filmmakers were supported with cash grants to fund the production of their unique feature films.
FDCP seeks partnership with CNC to preserve cinema heritage
F
From left to right; FDCP Chairman, Briccio
G. Santos, Centre’ National du Cinema et de
l’image animee’ President, Eric Garandeau
and Deputy Director, Michel Plazanet
ilm Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman,
Briccio G. Santos, and Executive Director, Ted C. Granados
sought to strengthen the country’s effort to preserve its
cinematic heritage. They met with Eric Garandeau and Michel Plazanet,
director and deputy director of Centre’ National du cinema et de
l’image animee’ (CNC) to request assistance with this endeavor.
As the foremost experts in the field, the FDCP turned to them
Film Development Council of the Philippines
SEE PAGE 8
Sineng Pambansa
Philippine Night in Cannes 2013
5
Chairman Santos presents certificate of appreciation
to generous supporters of Philippine Cinema
Philippine themed cake for
Philippine Night
Teresita “Tetta” Agustin and French
husband Dr. Christian Baverey open
their home for Philippine Night
Philippine director Tikoy Aguiluz (center top) beside him
to the right French Cineaste Pierre Rissient and head
of the Director’s Fortnight Benjamin Illos
Dr. Baverey speaking to a
Filipino-American filmmaker
Host Teresita “Tetta” Agustin and
Chairman Briccio G. Santos
Philippine ethnic dance numbers during the event
Lav Diaz’s delegation for Norte
The OTJ delegation with director Tikoy Aguiluz Aguiluz. From left:
Tikoy Aguiluz, Gerald Anderson, Rayver Cruz (Third from right)
Film Development Council of the Philippines
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Sineng Pambansa
IFX
2013
opens in September
S
et to bolster the national film industry in
the global arena, the Film Development
Council of the Philippines (FDCP) opens the
2013 International Film Exposition (IFX) at the SMX
Convention Center – Manila, September 6 and 7.
Consequent to the success of IFX 2012 in Davao,
the event is set to gather local and international
film stakeholders and players to explore
opportunities for co-production and technical or
educational exchange.
With the theme “Your Film Corridor to Asia”, IFX
2013 is presented as: 1.) a vehicle that features
the latest trends in filmmaking, 2.) a marketplace
for film-related products and services 3.) a venue
SEE PAGE 7
Film Development Council of the Philippines
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IFX 2013 ...FROM PAGE 6
for the exchange of ideas among film stakeholders and 4.) a link between foreign and local
production companies, industry suppliers, producers, distributors, filmmakers, artists, and
academic institutions among others.
Highlight of the exposition is a film market designed to catapult the Philippines as a viable
film hub in Asia. With the country being centrally located, it provides easy access to many Asian
countries and offers safe and affordable filming
experience to different strategic locations around the
archipelago. More so, it aims to position the country as
an emerging trendsetter in the field of cinema by being
at the forefront of the latest development and
technology in the Asia-Pacific region. A unique feature of the film
market is the ASEAN Corner where all 10 member
countries of ASEAN will be present. This is the first attempt
to present a united front for the promotion of the film
SMX Convention Center, Manila
industry in the region.
IFX 2013 includes the International Film Conference
(IFC) where an elite group of international and
Philippine film industry leaders and experts discuss new
technology, linkages with global film commissions networks
and funding facilities, opportunities for enhanced
capability-building programs, and modern trends in filmmaking. The conference is expected to attract hundreds of
film enthusiasts from the international and local circles.
IFX Booth
First Film ASEAN Summit to gather at IFX 2013
F
ilm ASEAN is composed of the lead government
agencies in charge of developing the film
industry in the ASEAN countries. The first summit
of Film ASEAN is scheduled on September 6, 2013 in
Manila, Philippines to start the process of developing
an ASEAN Film Agenda that would provide the major
directions for collaborative programs for film
Participants listening at International Film Conference
development in the region.
Key areas of the Film Agenda include co-production, sharing of resources and expertise, joint
educational programs, regional film festivals and film competition, and development of regional
facilities for archiving, film studios, and training.
Film Development Council of the Philippines
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FDCP Cinematheques Host Acting Workshops And
Buñuel Film Festival
F
ilm Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)
Cinematheques played host to two important events:
the Luis Buñuel film festival and the Tony Mabesa acting
workshop. Both events took place within the latter part of the month
of June at specific cinematheques.
The FDCP, through the Film Cultural Exchange Program (FCEP)
and in partnership with the Embassy of Mexico, presented “Luis
Buñuel in Mexico,” a series of film screenings all shot in Mexico,
and situated in the early part of his career. The selection screened
at designated FDCP Cinematheques: in Iloilo from June 19 to 23,
Davao from June 26 to 30 and Baguio from July 3 to 7. The film
festival was a rare occasion, as Buñuel’s works have rarely been
screened in the Philippines before.
Luis Buñuel’s name is synonymous with the surrealist film style.
Buñuel has been hailed a genius with regards to his economic
approach and philosophy in filmmaking. Several of his works have
Tony Mabesa
received honors in various film festivals. He also ranks number 14 in the top 250
directors of all time in the acclaimed film resource, They Shoot Pictures, Don’t
They?
The Davao Cinematheque also hosted a basic acting workshop for
beginning actors for film, conducted by the iconic Tony Mabesa. Mabesa is an
icon in Philippine cinema and theater. He immersed himself in his craft, studying
theater and the arts at the University of California and the University of Hawaii,
and backpacking through Europe to watch the best stage performances.
His love for acting spread to the silver screen, as he also starred in many films
such as: Sidhi (1999), Mano Po (2002) and El Presidente (2012). He also won the
FAMAS award for best supporting actor for Migrante (2012). To date, Mabesa
has appeared in more than 30 movies, directed plays for 50 years and has
appeared in over 140 plays all over the world.
Assisting him with the workshop were three prominent figures within the arts:
Adriana Agcaoili, Peter Alcedo Jr. and Brian Arda.
FDCP SEEKS ...FROM PAGE 4
to the CNC to request for assistance in procuring equipment needed by the National Film Archives of the
Philippine (NFAP). A partnership has also been forged between the two agencies which contains the provision
of sending NFAP personnel to France on a two-year study course, to learn the intricacies of archiving and
restoring.
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)
26th floor, Export Bank Plaza, Don Chino Roces Avenue corner
Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City, Philippines 1200
Telephone: +(632) 846.28.85 |+(632) 846.24.37 |+(632) 846.24.96 |+(632) 846.24.98
Fax: +(632) 846.28.83 |Website: www.fdcp.ph |www.filminthephilippines.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FDCPSinengPambansa |Twitter: www.twitter.com/FDCP
National Film Archives of the Philippines
70-C 18th Avenue, Murphy Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: +(632) 376.03.13 |Fax: +(632) 376.03.70
Film Development Council of the Philippines