The Philippines has never been short of film artistry, but more can be done to broaden the diversity of our stories. There's always a center of filming and arts in a country such as Hollywood in the United States, Mumbai in India, and in our case, Metro Manila. But we can't deny that there are also rich and promising narratives in the fringes.

Our passionate, courageous, creative, and resourceful regional filmmakers have a lot to offer and so much more to say; they just need additional platforms to get their messages across.

It was because of this realization that the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) created regional programs, including its first regional film lab established in 2019, the Southern Voices Film Lab (SoVo Lab) to discover indigenous stories and empower filmmakers from Mindanao.

Little did we know that our simple program to boost regional cinema would lead to numerous opportunities for Mindanaon filmmakers to get noticed not just in other parts of the country but internationally as well.

From Mindanao to the rest of the world

The FDCP called for applications in March 2019 from budding filmmakers residing in Mindanao who are developing their first, second, or third feature film. A development fund worth P100,000 was each given to the seven selected projects: "Cangrejos" by Zurich Chan, "Dancing the Tides" by Xeph Suarez, "Devils in Paradise" by Joe Bacus, "Diwalwal" by Jarell Serencio, "Misery Mountain" by Orvil Bantayan, "The Widow" by Ryanne Murcia, and "Virgins of the River" by Julienne Joy Ilagan.

The first SoVo Lab leg was held in June 2019 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte where talks and individual script consultations featured Southeast Asia Fiction Film Lab (Seafic) Executive Director Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Variety's Chief Asia Film Critic Maggie Lee, producer Bianca Balbuena-Liew, and Mindanaoan filmmaker Sheron Dayoc.

‘Cangrejos’ director Zurich Chan (center) with mentors Yeonu Choi (left) and Dodo Dayao at the 2020 SoVo Lab Scriptwriting Session in Davao City.

In February 2020, the SoVo Lab Scriptwriting Session in Davao City had writer, producer, and director Dodo Dayao and South Korean producer Yeonu Choi of CJ Entertainment as mentors. The SoVo Lab was supposed to end in 2020, but pandemic restrictions led us to postpone the last few events. It resumed in April 2021 with the online SoVo Lab Producer's Lab featuring producers Balbuena-Liew, Isabelle Glachant, and Weijie Lai.

As the lab was ongoing, some participants were able to reap international attention. "Cangrejos" was chosen by Seafic 2019 and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum 2021; "Dancing the Tides" was selected by First Cut Lab Manila 2019, Ties That Bind 2020, and Cannes film lab La Fabrique Cinéma 2021; and "Devils in Paradise" was part of the Asean-ROK (Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea) Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) Film Lab, Asian Film Market 2019, and Full Circle Lab Philippines 2020.

"Cangrejos" producer Gale Osorio, "Dancing the Tides" director Suarez, and "Devils in Paradise" director Bacus were in Seafic Open House 2019 while "Virgins of the River" writer, producer, and director Ilagan joined Rotterdam Lab 2021 of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

An emotional end that leads to more beginnings

With a remarkable run, the intensive script and development lab culminated last weekend with the Pitch Showcase and Awarding Ceremony. It was difficult to wrap things up because of the overwhelming emotions. I am incredibly proud of our SoVo Lab filmmakers, seeing how far they've come and knowing that they can achieve more when they produce their films.

I also shed tears like some of them out of happiness and fulfillment. Seeing them beam with pride as they were awarded certificates of completion, special recognitions, and co-production grants made all the hard work - of everyone involved in the film projects as well as the FDCP teams that sustained the film lab - worth it.

"Cangrejos" took home the SoVo Lab Co-Production Grant worth P1 million and the Solar Sinag Award Film Distribution Service worth P750,000. The quirky black comedy is absurd and funny yet enlightening as it deals with poverty and violence against the unsettling backdrop of a beautiful island.

’Cangrejos,’ ‘Dancing the Tides,’ and ‘Devils in Paradise’ were just three of the SoVo Lab films that were able to reap international attention.

Its director, Chan, turned emotional when his project bagged the top two prizes. He shared on Facebook the other things that he was supposed to say during his acceptance speech.

"Regional filmmakers always suffer from the lack of support and recognition but having film labs like this help validate filmmakers and their projects, which is a big step to develop a community and make it sustainable," he said.

Other awardees were "Dancing the Tides" (Special Jury Prize with a Co-Production Grant worth P500,000), "Devils in Paradise" (SoVo Lab Script and Project Development Grant worth P300,000 and Wildsound Studios Inc. Audio Post-Production Grant worth P100,000), and "Diwalwal" (SoVo Lab Script and Project Development Grant worth P300,000).

Also receiving special awards were "The Widow" (Cinemalaya Institute Production Management Workshop) and "Virgins of the River" (Center Stage Productions Script Development and Production Mentorship Grant worth P500,000, Cinemalaya Institute Assistant Director's Workshop for Film and Television, and Directors' Guild of the Philippines Mentorship Grant with P20,000 cash).

The crucial need for film labs

Organizing film labs is central to FDCP's film development support program, and we intend to continue this initiative to instill in the next generation of filmmakers the importance of putting a premium on production value.

The very reason why we hold development labs is for filmmakers to understand the importance of humility in learning new things as well as receiving feedback, patience in working on a project, and respecting one's project by giving time, love, and commitment to discovering the best way to tell a story.

We are part of a globally competitive industry and we need to have stories that best represent our skills. The mix of local and international mentors in SoVo Lab has given more opportunities for filmmakers to elevate their stories and pitches, and widen their network of local and international filmmakers and industry players.

Through SoVo Lab, we were able to discover Mindanaoan talents and filmmakers and champion their stories that are usually ignored in the sea of Filipino films. Indeed, it is an honor to serve our stakeholders in Mindanao with a groundbreaking film lab where Southern Voices are finally represented, heard, and given their rightful spotlight.

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.