Program Banner

FUND FOR SHORT FILMS

Pursuant to Republic Act 9167, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is mandated to create assistance funds to support different stages in the production of quality films, including but not limited to film development, production, post-production, marketing, distribution, exhibition, and archiving practices in the country.

 

In line with this, FDCP’s CreatePHFilms Funding Program was launched to ensure that the government provides support to filmmakers to complement their efforts in producing quality Filipino films. 

Applicants/proponents must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Filipino citizen or permanent resident of the Philippines (must be of legal age)
  • Filipino director, producer, or writer, serving as the producer of the project
  • Holds or shares the intellectual property (IP) rights of the project, or has permission from the IP rights holder to use the source material
  • Has all necessary rights to develop, produce, and distribute the project
  • Duly registered and active member of  FDCP National Registry for Companies (NRAW)
  • Does not have any overdue obligations and/or notice of sanction from any FDCP assistance or funding programs
  • Must have at least one completed film (feature-length or short film)

Projects that meet all of the following conditions:
For Fiction and Mixed-Media:

  1. Must have a concept paper, project treatment, and script
  2. Short film (min. 12 mins. and max. of 20 mins. including OBB and CBB)
  3. Must be in English or any Filipino language/s (must be subtitled in English)
  4. Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget

 

For Animation: 

  1. Must have a concept paper, project treatment, and script
  2. Short film (min. 12 mins. and max. of 20 mins. including OBB and CBB)
  3. Must be in English or any Filipino language/s (must be subtitled in English)
  4. Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget

 

For Documentary: 

  1. Must have a project treatment
  2. Short film (min. 12 mins. and max. of 20 mins. including OBB and CBB)
  3. Must be in English or any Filipino language/s (must be subtitled in English)
  4. Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget

The CreatePHFilms fund for Short Film is not available for:
 

  1. Projects that are less than 12 mins. and more than 20 mins.
  2. Advertisements or commercials
  3. Television series/programs
  4. Academic film projects
  5. News or current affairs programs
  6. Productions of public or live events
  7. Projects that contain pornography, promote violence, issues that insult, offend, and/or portray the Philippines in a negative light, have themes/topics that threaten national security
  8. Projects that have received a Short Film Grant from CreatePHFilms
  9. Applicants that has outstanding obligations or sanctions from any FDCP assistance or funding programs, excluding ongoing contracts that have not yet lapsed

For Fiction and Mixed Media 

  • Concept paper and treatment
  • Script
  • Video pitch (3-5 mins. only, mp4 file)
  • Resume/Filmography/Artistic portfolio of the applicant
  • Previous work/s of the applicant
  • Proposed production timeline (principal photography to post-production)
  • Proposed production budget (principal photography to post-production)
  • Documentary proof of active registration with the FDCP National Registry for Audiovisual Workers (NRAW)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Statutory Declaration (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Writer’s Certification (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget
  • For adapted works: copyright adaptation authorization, and source material

 

For Animation 

  • Concept paper
  • Working storyboard/Animation dossier
  • Video pitch (3-5min. Only, mp4 file)
  • Resume/Filmography/Artistic portfolio of the applicant
  • Proposed production timeline (principal photography to post-production)
  • Proposed production budget (principal photography to post-production)
  • Documentary proof of active registration with the FDCP National Registry for Audiovisual Workers (NRAW)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Statutory Declaration (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Writer’s Certification (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget
  • For adapted works: copyright adaptation authorization, and source material

 

For Documentary and Non-Fiction Works 

  • Concept paper
  • Working treatment
  • Video pitch (3-5min. Only, mp4 file)
  • Resume/Filmography/Artistic portfolio of the applicant
  • Previous work/s of the applicant
  • Proposed production timeline (principal photography to post-production)
  • Proposed production budget (principal photography to post-production)
  • Documentary proof of active registration with the FDCP National Registry for Audiovisual Workers (NRAW)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Statutory Declaration (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Scanned, signed, and notarized Writer’s Certification (original hard copy will be submitted to FDCP if selected)
  • Proof of minimum 20% secured funding of the proposed budget
  • For adapted works: copyright adaptation authorization, and source material
CRITERIA 
A. Quality of the project and production team30%
B. Degree to which the project promotes the Philippine culture20%
C. Degree to which the production depicts and contributes to the Philippine film industry20%
D. Potential to gain national/global recognition15%
E. Financial strength and stability of the project10%
F. Potential distribution plan5%
  1. How can I apply?
    Submit your project through the CreatePHFilms application form. Click “Apply Now” above.
     
  2. How many projects can I submit?
    Each applicant may submit a maximum of three (3) projects in a single funding program per cycle. However, only one (1) may be selected.
     
  3. Can I submit my project more than once?
    Yes – if your project is not selected, you may reapply in future cycles as long as there are significant creative and/or financial changes made since the last submission.
     
  4. Can I apply to CreatePHFilms without a production company?
    Yes – for the Fund for Short Film, individual applicants may apply without a production company, provided that they are registered and an active member of the National Registry (NR).

    However, all other CreatePHFilms programs require a production company duly registered and an active member of NR to be eligible for grant.
     
  5. Can an applicant/production company that has already received support from CreatePHFilms apply for another type of FDCP support?
    Yes – as long as the applicant/production company attached to the project does not have any overdue obligations or sanctions with any FDCP programs or the project is not applied to another FDCP program with similar grant coverage.
     
  6. Can an applicant receive feedback from CreatePHFilms if their project was not accepted?
    While CreatePHFilms appreciate the interest and effort put into each application, the program is unable to provide individual feedback to unselected projects due to the high volume of applications.
     
  7. Can I apply if I’m currently based abroad?
    Yes, as long as the applicant is a Filipino, will employ Filipino production crew and staff for the project, and meets all other eligibility requirements.
     
  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.

Production Support Unit – Film Development Council of the Philippines:
createphfilms@fdcp.gov.ph

Subscribe Now To The FDCP Newsletter