THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) was established in 2002 under the Office of the President as the lead agency for film with the mandate of formulating and implementing programs and policies that will not only upgrade both the art and business of local filmmaking, but also ensure that the economic, educational and cultural aspects of film are fairly and effectively represented.
We have never felt the presence of such a government agency until last year, when actress-beauty queen Liza Diño-Seguerra was appointed as the chief of the FDCP.
A pragmatic and hands-on leader, Liza started by reaching out to all the sectors of the film industry throughout the country so she could listen to what they had to say. She then formed her team and started to work on how to improve, upgrade, better the prevailing conditions.
This week the FDCP is launching Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), a week-long festival featuring 12 carefully selected movies that have not had the opportunity of being commercially released in the Philippines. Take note that for one whole week, all cinema houses will show only the 12 participating Filipino films that were carefully chosen by a panel of credible and cinema-loving personalities a few months back.
Pauwi Na, by Paolo Villaluna, just won the Golden Goblet for Best Film at the prestigious 2017 Shanghai International Festival. It stars Bembol Roco, Cherry Pie Picahce, Jess Mendoza and Meryll Soriano.
Birdshot, by Mikhail Red, won the Best Asian Future Film Award at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival. It is the first film of lead actor Mary Joy Apostol.
Hamog, by Ralston Jover, has won for teenage actress Therese Malvar the Best Actress award at the 2016 Moscow International Film Festival.
Paglipay, by Zig Dulay, bagged the Platinum World Award for International Feature Film at the World Film Awards in Indonesia. The movie features real-life Aeta nonactors Gerry Cabalic and Joan de la Cruz.
Patay na si Hesus, by Cebuano filmmaker Victor Villanueva, stars Chai Fonacier and Jaclyn Jose. It was part of the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival.
Salvage, by Davao-born filmmaker Sherad Sanchez, opened the CinemaOne Original Film Festival last year. It stars Jessy Mendiola, Karl Medina and Barbie Capacio.
Star na si Van Damme Stallone, by Randolph Longjas, was an entry to the 2016 CineFilipino Film Festival and stars Candy Pangilinan, Acey Aguilar and Paolo Pingol.
Ang Manananggal ng Unit 23B, by Prime Cruz, was an entry to the 2016 QCinema Internationla Film Festival and features Ryza Cenon, Cholo Barretto and Martin del Rosario
Four of the 12 titles will have their world premiere at the all-Filipino film festival this week: AWOL by Enzo Williams, 100 Tula Para kay Stella by Jason Laxamana, Bar Boys by Kip Oebanda and Triptiko by Miguel Franco Michelena.
Diño-Seguerra said there will be discounted rates for students for the PPP: P150 for students in Metro Manila and P100 for students outside of Metro Manila.
PPP runs from August 16 to 22.