MANILA, PHILIPPINES, APRIL 15, 2021 — The CreatePHFilms film funding program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) returns this year with two cycles to provide opportunities for the development and production of more Filipino projects as the industry continues to struggle due to the COVID-19 crisis.

CreatePHFilms 2021 Cycle 1 announced its Call for Applications from April 6 to May 31 with six funding programs for mid-length or feature films that could be fiction, documentary, or animation: 

1. Scriptwriting - A selective nonrefundable fund of PHP 100,000 for Filipino filmmakers or scriptwriters

2. Project Development - A selective nonrefundable fund of PHP 200,000 for Filipino production companies

3. Small Budget Production - A selective refundable fund of PHP 1 million for Filipino production companies

4. Large Budget Production - A selective equity investment fund of PHP 3 million up to PHP 5 million for Filipino production companies

5. Post-Production - A selective fund of PHP 300,000 to be applied for by the Filipino production company

6. Film Distribution - A selective fund of PHP 300,000 for the local and international distribution of Filipino projects

Eligible applicants must be Filipino filmmakers and companies accredited by the FDCP’s National Registry and eligible projects must be directed by a Filipino. Additionally, 100 percent of the fund must be spent in the Philippines for qualified production expenses.

“The resumption of CreatePHFilms in 2021 shows the government’s continued support to the film industry by carrying on with the provision of public funding for film development,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño. “Through CreatePHFilms, we aim to fuel the passion, resilience, and determination of Filipino filmmakers especially amid these trying times.”

Last year, PHP 12.1 million was awarded to support the funding of 22 grantees of the CreatePHFilms 2020 Cycle 1: eight for Scriptwriting, four for Project Development, three for Small Budget Production, two for Large Budget Production, and five for Post-Production. 

The 2020 CreatePHFilms Cycle awardees are as follows:

For CreatePHFilms Fund for Scriptwriting (PHP 100,000 each), these are “Ang Alamat ng Gumamelang Bukid” by Richard Soriano Legaspi, “Dead Boy” by Jules Dan Katanyag, “Magiliw (Gentle: A Carnage by the Land of the Rising Sun)” by Bor Ocampo, “Mother Maybe” by Sonny Calvento, “Oyayi” by Mitzi Delima, “Silk Ties” by Wilfredo Manalang, “Strange Natives” by Paolo Herras, and “The Fighting Filipinos” by Honee Alipio.

The CreatePHFilms Fund for Project Development grantees that received PHP 200,000 each are “In My Mother's Skin” by Kenneth Lim Dagatan, “Ninja From Manila” by Miko Livelo, “Outerspace Filipino Workers” by Keith Sicat, and “The Tootle & Tina Show” by Danzen Santos Katanyag.

The CreatePHFilms Fund for Small Budget Production recipients of PHP 1 million each are “12 Weeks” by Anna Isabelle Matutina, “Blue Room” by Ma. Anna L. Asuncion-Dagnalan, and “Faramanis” by Gutierrez Mangansakan II while the CreatePHFilms Fund for Large Budget Production recipients of P3 million each are “Bansa” by Brillante Mendoza and “Kidplay” by Khavn.

The CreatePHFilms Fund for Post-Production grantees that were awarded PHP 300,000 each are “Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago” by Martika Ramirez Escobar, “Gensan Punch” by Brillante Mendoza, “Kargo” by TM Malones, “Mirador” by Loy Arcenas, and “The Brokers” by Daniel R. Palacio.

Launched in September 2020 as part of the commemoration of the closing of the Philippine Cinema Centennial celebration, CreatePHFilms seeks to increase economic opportunities for local workers and service providers.

Moreover, CreatePHFilms aims to enhance the Filipino film industry’s reputation in global cinema as a thriving film hotspot with skillful, passionate, and innovative creatives and professionals.

For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.fdcp.ph/CreatePHFilms.