The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on August 12 welcomed actress Liza Diño as the organization's new chair. Diño succeeds Briccio Santos, who first held the office in 2010.

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After officially taking her oath at the Malacañang Palace on August 15, Diño detailed her goals during her three-year term.

As the new FDCP chairperson, she hopes to turn the Philippines into a choice location for local and international film productions. Tapping into the movie industry may lead to an increase of job opportunities for Filipinos and it also provides further traction in terms of tourism. 

“All the related government agencies must work together in establishing an enticing tax rebate program to attract foreign productions to see the Philippines as a viable shooting location,” Diño said.

The “shoot in the Philippines” campaign takes inspiration from the set-up of neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand.

The FDCP wants to establish the country as a “one-stop shop” for foreign film productions through inter-agency communication with  Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Department of National Defense, Department of Tourism, and several local government units.

Diño also aims to have the film industry—which currently produces over 200 films a year—recognized with protectionist policies by the Department of Labor and Employment, and the same time, do away with the notion that filmmakers are “just entertainers.”

“The film industry should have proper recognition by the Department of Labor and Employment,” Diño insists. “Given the resurgence of Philippine cinema in the past years, it is important that there be an establishment of labor standards for film industry workers, with regards to work conditions, compensation, benefits, and labor relations.” 

The FDCP will also be working towards the empowerment of regional film communities, as well as the creation of a self-sustaining film environment with minimal marketing and distribution problems.

According to Diño, they want to foster inclusivity by giving life to regional stories in film and conducting more workshops and seminars year-round for the continued development and productiveness of the regional filmmakers.

They also aim to establish proper marketing for local films to “develop a dedicated and educated audience” by providing more interaction between mainstream and independent filmmakers in order to have exchange on marketing techniques.

Lastly, the FDCP wants to advance film education and audience development.

According to its chairperson, “At the end of the day, we have to bear in mind that Filipino films are first and foremost for Filipinos. I believe that we shouldn't lose sight of this equally important goal when making films. Let's always keep the Filipino audience in mind—their sensibilities, their language, their needs.”

“The great Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka were amazing proponents of these. They made landmark films that garnered great recognition abroad but were still watched here and well received by Filipinos. We need to find that balance!” she concluded. — Bianca Rose Dabu / AT, GMA News

Source: GMA News Online