PPP to showcase 8 never-before-seen full-length features

Eight films that are just about to have their Philippine premiere will be showcased in this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).

Unlike in previous years, wherein films that have already been shown in local film fests could be included as finalists, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Liza Diño said the PPP will now showcase never-before-seen full-length features.

The selection committee will pick three films that are in their advanced stage of development or production stage, and five that are already finished or are in their postproduction stage, she said.

The selected films will receive a coproduction fund of up to P2 million, she added.

“This is an opportunity for us to give another platform not just for our big studios that are making films, but also for indie productions,” she said of the fête that will run from Sept. 12 to 18. “Independent productions will be our priority. It will be a week-long exclusive screening of Filipino films in all cinemas nationwide.”

Deadline of submission for film projects in production stage is on March 8, while finished films or films in their final postproduction stage should be turned in by May 31, Diño said.

Cinemas nationwide will also offer discounted rates for students, as follows: P180 for those in Metro Manila, and P130 for those in the provinces.

Started in 2017, the PPP has featured award-winning films, two of which—“Birdshot” and “Signal Rock”—have been selected as the country’s official entries in the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Films.

The PPP is also in line with the celebration of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, which officially starts in September.

“This is a special project of the FDCP in partnership with the cinemas,” the FDCP chief said. “Because of our cinema’s centennial celebration, we are organizing a gala that will pay tribute to 100 luminaries who have contributed to the development of local cinema. It will be a big event.”