MTRCB reaches out to filmmakers

VILLAREAL. Establishes framework for cooperation.

Last April 2, we were at the MTRCB to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to establish a framework of cooperation and platform for dialogue between the Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) and the government agency.

MTRCB chair Eugenio “Toto” Villareal was in high spirits. The current board is trying to become a conduit between filmmakers and the audience. The “conservative liberal” Villareal explains, “We’d like to veer away from confrontation and promote a spirit of engagement between the board and directors, producers and writers. As far as we are concerned, we don’t practice censorship—we don’t cut scenes. We want the agency to be perceived as filmmaker-friendly.”

DGPI president Joel Lamangan says that the MTRCB should adapt to the changes in society: “We have different duties, but we can work together.”

In line with the MTRCB’s Matalinong Panonood program, DGPI will have a quarterly lecture series, starting June 15 on the topic, Film and Society.