FDCP teams up with Busan fest for new program

FILM festival finalists from Mindanao: (From left) Najib Alyhar Zacaria, Peping Domingo representing Agustin Pagusara, Orvil Bantayan and Famy Alfad, representing son Fyrsed Alsad Alfad III MARINEL R. CRUZ

DAVAO CITY—The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and  Busan International Film Festival (IFF) organizers have come up with a cinematheque partnership program meant to bring Korean technology to the country.

A cinematheque is a screening venue for classic and art-house movies, ideally with a film archive.

“The Koreans will also provide training in film production,” FDCP chair Briccio Santos said. “In exchange, we will screen their films. This is part of Korea’s plan to reach out to more agencies in Asia.”

Kim Ji-seok, Asian programmer for the annual Busan IFF, attended the inauguration of the FDCP Davao Cinematheque on June 29. A commemorative statue of the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka, designed and executed by sculptor Jonas Roces, was unveiled that evening.

Success story

Santos said the secret of Korea’s very successful movie industry is its highly organized film councils. He explained: “Korea has about 40 film councils. Also, the film center in Korea is not its capital, Seoul, but Busan.”

He added: “This is why FDCP is creating festivals and cinematheques in the provinces. We are reaching out to local government units (LGUs) to make them aware of the possibilities. Empowering people is essential not only to preserve our common heritage, but also to raise awareness of our products.”

Santos emphasized the importance of digitization. “There are new technological changes that will benefit people in the provinces. In the past, in order to see movies, you had to go to Manila. Now, thanks to digitization, films can be shown in multiple locations.”

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the local government donated a cinematheque to the FDCP “to make people aware that there’s a center here that aims to inspire creativity among Davaoenos.”

“This is for Davao and for Mindanao,” she said. “We are grateful that Davao was given a chance to host the 1st Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival. Hopefully, this will inspire more filmmakers in Davao to join.”

Santos also announced that the Council would be partnering with SM Malls to create a national booking service or NBS.

HAND-LAYING rites with (from left): Filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, Danny Brocka, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte, FDCP chair Briccio Santos, French Ambassador Gilles Garachon

“The aim is to come up with an effective marketing and distribution system,” he explained.

Local councils

Santos said another goal was “to encourage LGUs to create their own film councils.”

He said: “We will assist them in making policies and guidelines.”

He added that Zamboanga was considering partnering with the FDCP for this cause.

The FDCP chief also stressed, “There is no politics involved in the promotion of culture.”

He explained: “This is precisely why we are able to hold events in places like Tawi-Tawi and Marawi. Just as much as we need reform in politics, we also need cultural reform.”

P1-M grants

Santos added that the Council planned to give P1 million in grants to some 40 filmmakers next year.

BRICCIO Santos, FDCP chair, performs a ritual. See page H3. MARINEL R. CRUZ

“The thrust of the FDCP right now is content. During the recently concluded International Film Conference (held in Manila), we foresaw the increase in outputs not only here in the country but in the whole of Asia,” Santos said.

He said the recently concluded 1st Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival brought together some of the best filmmakers in the country.

Unifying

Santos said: “This is the beginning of something new and pioneering, something good and unifying.”

Duterte added: “[The event was] a celebration of our innate ability as storytellers. These films tell the stories of our lives. They weave together our collective history and culture with our individual aspirations and inspirations. These are reflections of who we are and who we hope to be as individuals.”

(Email [email protected])