Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria and comply with all requirements:

• A Filipino citizen of legal age (18 years old and above).
• Filipino director and producer registered in the FDCP National Registry
• Holds or shares the intellectual property rights of the project
• Have all necessary rights to develop, produce, and distribute the project
• Do not have any overdue obligations from any FDCP assistance or funding programs
• Fully comply with all eligibility requirements as set by the FDCP, including the timely submission of required documents and adherence to all application guidelines.

Eligible Projects, Format, and Theme

Projects that meet all of the following conditions:

1. The Films For Peace Competition is a short film competition open to all Filipino citizens regardless of location and age, whether student, amateur, semi-professional or professional.  Employees and contractual workers of the Film Development Council of the Philippines as well as their immediate relatives are disqualified from participating in the competition.

    

2. Short films must be any of the following:
   a) short narrative feature;
   b) documentary;
   c) animation; or 
   d) mixed media

    

3. Films must be in any Philippine language, dialect, or English, with English subtitles required for wide release in cinemas and on streaming platforms.

    

4. Submissions must have a running time of not less than twelve (12) minutes but must not exceed twenty (20) minutes inclusive of opening billboard (OBB) and closing credits/closing billboard (CBB).

    

5. To verify that the film was created between March 1 –June 16, 2025, submit a Google Drive link containing any 2 of the following:

    

   a) BTS Photos with Timestamps (3-5 photos)
   b) Unedited Raw Footage (1-2 min) with visible file metadata (recording date)
   c) Production Log (signed by director/producer)
   d) Receipts/Rental Agreements (dated within the production period)
   e) Call Sheets (with shoot dates)

    

6. Films must have their Philippine premiere at the Films for Peace Competition and must not have been previously screened or participated in any other local or international festivals, including those organized by schools, universities, or film organizations.

    

7. Resolution of at least 1920x1080 (Full HD)

    

8. Accepted formats - MP4, MOV.

    

9. Music and Copyright - any music that is royalty-free or properly licensed.

    

10. Films must carry the theme of:

     

    - The importance of peace;
    - The need for inclusivity;
    - The respect for diversity; but most of all  
    - The celebration of being Filipino as a people and as citizens of the world.

     

    The filmmaker may interpret the underlying theme in any manner deemed as substantial for bringing out his or her voice as a cinematic artist.

     

11. In case of any violation of the guidelines and rules, the organizers and the judging Committee reserves the right to disqualify the participant and their film or remove them from the program.

     

12. The organizers and the selection committee reserves the right to disqualify any participant and/or to forfeit any prize from a participant who is found to have committed plagiarism or has undertaken fraudulent practice and/or activities harmful to the Competition or the Competition submission process.

     

13. FDCP reserves the right to create, revoke, and modify at any time, in any way its entry requirements, rules and regulations at its absolute discretion without prior notice. Finalists and submitted entries shall be bound by any amendments or addition to the entry requirements, rules and regulations herewith.

     

14. The decision of the Selection Committee is final and irrevocable. The organizers and the Selection Committee are not obliged to give an explanation for the results.

The Films for Peace Competition is NOT available or eligible for:

1. Films more than twenty (20) minutes long

    

2. Advertisements or commercials

    

3. Television series/programs

    

4. News or current affairs programs

    

5. Productions of public or live events

    

6. Projects that contain pornography, promote violence, issues that insult,  offend, and/or portray the Philippines in a negative light as well as  threaten national security.

    

7. Films with excessive violence, political propaganda, or films sponsored by government entities.

    

   "Excessive violence" refers to graphic or disturbing depictions of harm, injury, or suffering that are not essential to the story, theme, or artistic intent.

    

   "Political propaganda" refers to content that overtly promotes or advocates for a particular political agenda, ideology, or viewpoint, often in a biased or manipulative way, with the intent to influence public opinion or behavior.

    

8. Projects based on adaptations for which the applicant does not hold the necessary intellectual property rights or permissions for adaptation

    

9. Projects that infringe on existing copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights

A. Provisional Application Process

1. Applicants must read and understand the terms of the General Guidelines on the  expectations and deliverables.  

    

2. To apply, applicants must complete the application form through this link: fdcp.ph/FFPSFC2025-Application posted on the FDCP website www.fdcp.ph and submit the required document.

    

3. Entry forms provided must be completed  including the listing of all creative and technical proponents of the project.

    

4. Once all documentary requirements are completed, Films for Peace Program Officer will submit the project to the Selection Committee for evaluation and deliberation.  

    

5. Each applicant may submit only one (1) project per cycle. Projects that will not get selected may only be eligible to reapply for the same competition if there are evident major creative  and/or financial changes from its previous application.

    

   Film Entry:

    

   Online: Upload your film to a private video-sharing platform such as Google Drive or Vimeo (with or without password protection) in a high-quality format like Apple ProRes or a similar file type. Include the access link in the submission form, ensuring it remains active and accessible until the competition concludes.

    

   Offline: Submit your film on a USB drive and send it to the FDCP office on the 7th floor, Mirax Tower 1, 2270 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

    

   The courier must be prepaid by the participants and properly labeled with the subject: Films for Peace Competition Entry, Your Name, Film Title.

    

   Film Trailer: 30 to 45 seconds uploaded in Google Drive or included in USB for offline submission.

    

   Film Poster: High resolution uploaded in Google Drive or included in USB for offline submission.

    

   Director's Statement: Submit a brief explanation (maximum of 200 words) detailing how your film aligns with the theme "Films for Peace."

    

   Accomplished Entry Form: Complete the official Films for Peace entry through the google link  posted on the FDCP website.

    

   Copyright Clearance: If applicable, provide legal documentation for any third-party material used in the film (music, footage, etc.).

    

SELECTION PROCESS
 

B. Evaluation

Projects will be reviewed based on the following:

• Impact of material: (30%)
  The emotional and intellectual influence the film has on its audience.

   

• Originality of theme:  (25%)
  The uniqueness and creativity in the film’s central theme or message.

   

• Technical Excellence: (25%)
  The quality and craftsmanship in the film’s production, including aspects like cinematography, editing, sound design, and visual effects.

   

• Universal Appeal: (20%) 
  The film’s ability to resonate with a wide audience, regardless of their culture, location, or language.

There shall be two tiers in the competition: from all the submitted entries, the top twelve (12) entries will be selected by a committee of five (5) members composed of filmmakers and film scholars/ academicians.  

Three (3) winners will be selected by a second jury composed of five (5) members, including representatives from major film agencies in the country: the Film Academy of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Directors Guild of the Philippines, and the academe.

All twelve (12) finalists will be scheduled for exhibition at Cinematheques and select cinemas as part of the Philippine Film Industry Month celebrations in September 2025.

C. Selected Projects & Final Verification Process

1. Selected applicants will be notified via email after the deliberation process.

    

2. All exhibition and ancillary rights of the film remain with the filmmaker. However, the filmmaker grants the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) the right to screen the film free of charge for special screenings at Cinematheques, as well as for educational purposes at schools and universities that are members of the Academic Film Society (AFS). These screenings will be made available upon request by the FDCP, within a period mutually agreed upon by both parties, not exceeding two (2)  years from the film’s premiere.

    

3. Streaming Platforms: The films submitted to the competition may not be distributed on commercial streaming platforms during the competition period. After the competition, distribution on commercial platforms may be permitted, subject to the film owner’s discretion and any applicable rights agreements.

Note: SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES from March 01 to June 16, 2025

Eligible Applicants

1. Filipino citizen and legal age (18 years old and above)
2. Registered in the FDCP National Registry for Audiovisual Workers (NRAW)
3. Must have written or co-written at least one feature-length film
4. Holds or shares the intellectual property rights of the project.
5. Have all necessary rights to develop, produce, and distribute the project
6. Do not have any pending obligations from any FDCP assistance
7. Project must not be concurrently being funded by another FDCP program
8. Must comply with all eligibility requirements as set by the FDCP

Eligible Projects

1. Feature-length film project
2. Fiction, non-fiction, documentary, or animation
3. May be original or an adaptation, provided there is an authorization letter from the original filmmaker
4. Must be in English or any Filipino language or dialect, provided there is an English translation or subtitle
5. Must have a Filipino director (with Filipino Citizenship)

Ineligible Projects

1. Short film projects
2. Television series/programs
3. Academic or educational film projects
4. Advertisements or commercials
5. News or current affairs programs
6. Productions for public or live events
7. Projects containing explicit content, excessive violence, defamatory material, or content deemed harmful to national interest.
8. Completed projects or have begun production prior to the application.
9. Projects with pending obligations/unliquidated funds with FDCP

Provisional Application Process

1. Read and understand the General Guidelines on the requirements & qualifications of the program.
2. Access the application form through the Google link (click Apply Now) below.
3. Requirements and other forms must be supplied in English or Filipino only.
4. All application requirements must be consolidated and submitted at once.
5. Supporting documents submitted separately will be disregarded, and the application will be considered incomplete.
6. The official date of submission will be announced on the FDCP online platforms (website and social media platforms)
7. Applicants must fill out the application form and submit the following requirements:
   1. Storyline
   2. Applicant must adhere to the format of the storyline:
      1. Maximum of five pages
      2. Font: Courier New               
      3. Font Size: 12 pt             
      4. Spacing: Single-spaced
      5. ​Paper Size: Letter size (8.5 x 11in)
   3. Sequence treatment, if available
   4. Resume and Filmography (with proof of credits)
   5. Producer, if applicable
   6. Writer’s Statement or Letter of Motivation
   7. Proof of Registration to the National FDCP Registry
   8. Philippine passport and any secondary ID
   9. Notarized or Public instrument of the ownership of intellectual property
   10. The template can be download through the link provided in the form. Applicants must scan the notarized document and upload it to the provided portal in the online form
   11. Clearance Certificate/s from previously availed FDCP programs (if applicable) .
        
8. The ISAPELIKULA team will verify all submitted documents for the application.

Evaluation and Selection Process

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate and review the applications.

2. Twenty (20) Semi-finalists will be selected and announced in FDCP online platforms.

    

Projects will be screened based on the following:

The decision of the Selection Committee is final and irrevocable. The Committee is not obliged to give any further explanation on the results.

Finalist Selection Process

The grantees for the ISAPELIKULA: Match funding will be selected from the incubation program.

Match Funding Process

1. Finalist with secured investor must submit the following documents for verification:
   1. Certificate from the incubation participation
   2. Signed and notarized agreement with the co-financier indicating the investment amount
   3. Writer’s Certification
   4. Production Timeline
2. Signing of MOA with the FDCP, Finalist, and the investor/co-producer.
3. Finalists must start principal photography within 6 months upon signing the agreement.

• Incubation
• Match Funding Grant

1. Do we need to have a producer in place upon application?

   • No, however, having a producer in place will give you leverage in the selection process, especially for choosing the finalists.
      

      

2. Are co-writers or groups allowed to apply?

   • Yes. However, one representative must serve as the official applicant and be duly registered and active under the FDCP National Registry. All co-writers must also meet eligibility requirements.
      

      

3. Will the film lab include a monetary grant?

   • The film lab will include fellowship and mentorship on script and pitching workshops to develop the project. The project's funding will be provided during the production phase upon selection for matchfunding.

     
      

4. Can I apply if I'm currently based abroad?

   • Yes, as long as you are a Filipino citizen and meet all eligibility requirements. Participation in online and onsite workshops, however, is mandatory.

      

5. Is there any participation fee?

   • No. Participation in the ISAPELIKULA workshop is free of charge.

     
      

6. What will selection for Isapelikula involve in relation to FDCP's role in the project's production?

   • Upon selection for Isapelikula, FDCP will support the entire production process, including project incubation, production, and distribution.

     
      

7. Can a project that has already received support from Isapelikula apply for other FDCP funding programs? 

   • Projects that are selected for Isapelikula must not be concurrently funded by another FDCP program.
      

      

8. Will I retain the rights to my project after the workshop?
   • Yes. The filmmaker retains full ownership and intellectual property rights. However, they must comply with FDCP's acknowledgment and reporting requirements if selected.
     
      

9. Who should I contact for questions or clarifications?
    

   You may reach out to:

   • Incubation (Education Division) –  education@fdcp.gov.ph
   • Match Funding (Production Support Unit) –  createphfilms@fdcp.gov.ph
   • Distribution (Festivals Division) –  iapfestivals@fdcp.gov.ph