The first-ever Philippine Film Industry Month has just kicked off, and it is overwhelming to have already received much support in our first week. We have more events and programs throughout the month, and I am excited to share with you what the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has lined up for the rest of Philippine Film Industry Month.

September 13 to 17 - Safety and Health Officers Training Seminar (Shots) and the#KwentongSafety launch. The FDCP Safe Filming Program, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment-Occupational Safety and Health Center (DoLE-OSHC), will hold the 4th Shots, a free online 40-hour Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training for the Audiovisual Industry. Upon completing the Shots, participants will receive a Safety Officer 2 (SO2) Certification, just like the 139 graduates from the first three batches.

In addition, the online campaign #KwentongSafety will be launched to feature the best safety practices in production shoots during the pandemic. Singer and actor Christian Bautista, actresses Pinky Amador and Gabby Padilla, cinematographer Tey Clamor, production designer Eero Francisco, producer Gale Osorio, filmmaker Rae Red, stunt director Erwin Tagle, and Safety Officer Jamie Wilson will lead the campaign.

September 15 - Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) opening ceremony. Featuring Sine Kabataan and Sine Isla: LuzViMinda, FDCP's flagship film festival returns with its fifth edition, offering fresh perspectives from the youth and regional narratives. PPP 5: Featuring Sine Kabataan and Sine Isla will feature 10 Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition entries and 15 finalists from the new short film competition Sine Isla: LuzViMinda. The Opening Ceremony is a one-hour virtual event that will launch the screenings on the FDCP Channel and introduce the filmmakers of both competitions.

September 15 - FilmPhilippines Incentives Program Cycle 3 opening. The FDCP FilmPhilippines Office (FPO) will start accepting applications for Cycle 3 of the FilmPhilippines Incentives Program. The incentives offered by FPO are the Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP), International Co-Production Fund (ICOF), and ASEAN Co-production Fund (ACOF).

September 16 to 19 - International Film Industry Conference (IFIC). The 5th IFIC will continue to provide comprehensive knowledge with local and international experts as speakers and panelists in free sessions and masterclasses open to local and international public. To be held online anew, the IFIC seeks to create a platform for aspiring Filipino and international filmmakers and film enthusiasts to explore opportunities, challenges, and the new industry norms amid the pandemic.

September 17 to 26 - Sine Kabataan free screenings @ FDCP channel. The fifth Sine Kabataan continues to encourage the youth to develop their creativity and originality in storytelling while touching on pertinent societal issues. Out of over 200 submissions, 10 projects were chosen as finalists and grantees of the first Sine Kabataan production grant. They went through intensive film labs to develop their production skills and elevate their projects.

The Sine Kabataan finalists are "Abot Kamay Ang Langit" by Brian Spencer Reyes, "Ang Alamat ng Prinsipe at Mandirigma" by Jacob Mikhail Collado, "Ang Balay ni Conrad" by Ardinian Jaq Sanque, "Ang Bunga sa Tiyan ni Adam" by Ella Louise Salomon, "Jeremy Supot" by James Allen Fajardo, "Jombi" by Angela Francesca Andres, "Love in the Ungodly Hour" by Bradley Jason Pantajo, "Mga Ulap Tayong Nagiging Ulan" by Demetrio Celestino 3rd, "Reconnected" by Judd Bradley Avelino, and "Si Jet at ang Dark Lord ng Dol Gurskul" by Terence Giourdan Gonzalves.

September 17 to 26 - Sine Isla free screenings @ FDCP channel. The FDCP hopes to spotlight the value of regional filmmaking and its role in the development of Philippine Cinema through the nationwide contest Sine Isla: LuzViMinda Short Film Competition. From more than 100 entries, 15 short films were chosen by the selection committee and esteemed jury. By featuring the works of regional filmmakers during PPP 5, the FDCP hopes to champion a more inclusive Philippine Cinema.

The finalists for Sine Isla: LuzViMinda are "Ang Meron sa Wala" by Arby Laraño and Christine Laraño, "Forever" by Domingo Molina, Gulis" by Kyle Francisco, "Halawod" by Anna Katrina Velez Tejero, "Maglabay Ra In Sakit" by Mijan Jumalon, "Mga Bag-ong Nawong (sang Damgo kag Katingalahan)" by Mark Garcia, "Oppa-wikan" by Tracy Tang and Hanz Florentino, "Palabas" by Arjanmar Rebeta, "Replay" by Franky Arrocena, "Singil" by Maria Graciella Musa, "Sumasaiyo," by Jermaine Tulbo, "Tarang" by Arvin Belarmino, "The Man Who Isn't There and Other Stories of Longing" by Trishtan Perez, "Urihi Nga Luha" by Trishtan Perez, and "You Are Here" by Niño Maldecir.

September 18 - Asean-ROK Workshop Series @ IFIC. Featuring officials of film commissions from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (Asean-ROK), including yours truly, this IFIC panel will tackle the state of the Asean film industry, with Asean film commissions still providing support during the pandemic. The panel will also discuss ways to move forward and shape the new landscape in a rapidly changing world.

September 18 and 19 - FDCP Channel Game Nights. Fun games, surprise guests, and exciting prizes are featured in FDCP Channel Game Nights to gather the vibrant film community and foster the festive PPP and Philippine Film Industry Month spirit. Game Night 1 is dedicated to the PPP 5, Featuring Sine Kabataan and Sine Isla: LuzViMinda, while Game Night 2 is dedicated to the PFA Heritage Films and FDCP Channel relaunch. The FDCP Channel Game Nights will be held from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the FDCP Channel, the FDCP Channel Facebook page, and FDCP Channel YouTube channel.

(To be continued next week)

Notes from the Chair
The Sunday Times Magazine  - The Manila Times

Notes from the Chair is part of the Arts Awake section of The Sunday Times Magazine published by The Manila Times. Click HERE to view the article on The Manila Times website.