Globe recently celebrated For the Love of Local at Whitespace, Makati. The project reinforces the company’s commitment in highlighting local creative contents such as films, music, and shows. As a response to the growing culture of streaming, Globe takes the initiative to create a platform for creators and consumers alike.
“Our TV market is transitioning into the internet market. Globe is the access. It allows us to be a part of the accessibility. For us, our mission is to tell great stories and deliver it the best and fastest way,” said Elaine Uy-Casipit, Head of One OTT, ABS-CBN. To Sherwin Dela Cruz, Co-Founder and Country Manager of iflix, the partnership was a long time coming. “Our vision is aligned with Globe. We could buy an American content, but the money could be used for something else. A lot of Filipino content can really bring in the people.”
Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe Telecom, reiterated that “Globe is only a telco sometimes.” As a result of the company’s partnership with iWant and iflix, consumers can contribute to the cause of #PlayItRight by watching shows legally. This advocacy is fulfilled further through Ernest Cu’s appointment as a board member of Asia Video Industry Association.“With iWant and iflix, Globe continues to give Filipino consumers access to the best in local streaming content anytime you want, anywhere you are,” he added. Moreover, the partnership with both streaming sites goes beyond the surface level. The collaboration stems from the moment of conceptualization up to the distribution.
Under Globe Studios, the support given to the production paves the way for consumers to have a meaningful local content in the realm of streaming. In line with that, the backing for creators to produce an original material further enriches the local creative industry.
Globe Studios’ online film festival, .giff (Globe Independent Film Festival), calls for local filmmakers who are aiming to hone their craft, and waiting for their long-awaited break. The festival provides three main programs. First, under the Streaming Competition, filmmakers can submit their produced films in the following competition categories: Narrative, Experimental, Animation, Documentary, and Music Video. Second, under the Short Film Lab, ten selected filmmakers can achieve both a grant and a mentorship program to complete a short film. The produced output will compete in the festival awards in April 2019. Third, under the Cinema Writing Lab, ten aspiring film journalists and writers can have the chance to undergo mentorship on the art of screenwriting.
Quark Henares, Head of Globe Studios, delved into the purpose of the festival. “You see a lot of creatives around the country who are not known for making animation. And you get to see awesome, young voices. The reason why I love it, why I’m so excited about. giff, is the push it provides to young filmmakers.” He added, “It fosters and stretches the online video into other forms. It’s experiencing content on your mobile, but something with a little more production value.”
To enjoy films and TV shows on iWant and iflix, Globe mobile users can subscribe to GoWATCH for as low as 29 pesos for 2GB of data. For TM users, subscription to EasyWATCH is as low as 19 pesos for 1GB of data. Both are valid for one day. Globe has more surprises in store not only for its mobile subscribers, but for its Globe At Home subscribers as well.