The columnist at the QCinema Special Edition Opening in November. The hybrid festival that had socially distanced outdoor events along with online screenings, is setting the trend for 2021 film festivals. 

We all heaved a sigh of relief when 2020 finally ended and welcomed the new year with optimism and hope. While the new normal of the previous year has carried over and will most likely happen for the rest of the year, there is a stronger determination now in the Filipino film industry to overcome the Covid-19 crisis.

The columnist with her Special Award for Woman Empowerment from The Aliw 2020 Congress was held in December. Such events prove it is possible to hold physical events, with strict health and safety protocols.

The challenges of cinemas closing down, productions being put at a halt, and films having limited distribution and exhibition channels seemed to be insurmountable, but Philippine Cinema tried its best to bounce back by going digital and continuing operations while in compliance with the government’s health and safety protocols.

As we look forward to a much better and brighter 2021, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) vows to continue to support the film industry in its efforts for recovery and success amid the pandemic.

‘Quarancinema’ productions, content ideated, created, and screened during the lockdown, will continue this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID FABROS, YAPARAZZI PRODUCTIONS

This year, I am sure that our film industry stakeholders will remain steadfast as they find more ways to carry on with content creation and distribution. Their innovations in 2020 have paved the way for Quarancinema Productions.

The FDCP Channel, which hosted the 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, is one of the emerging movie platforms formed in 2020.

With the delays in producing a full-length feature, other filmmakers are looking to create other film types such as animated content.

“Quarancinema” refers to films that were ideated, created, and screened during the community quarantine lockdown. With the lockdown still ongoing, the boom of Quarancinema will continue due to these five key trends in Philippine Cinema for 2021:

1. Online streaming as the primary source of films

Prior to the pandemic, digital streaming platforms had to wait for films to be screened in theaters, and had to wait longer for months before titles can be shown via online channels.

But because of the continued closure of cinemas, films and other audiovisual content are now going straight to digital streaming platforms, and this covers not just premieres but retrospectives as well.

Emerging platforms such as The Manila Times TV, MOOV of Cinema Centenario, Upstream, Cinema ’76 @ Home, WeTV Philippines, and FDCP Channel have joined the lineup of digital streaming channels led by Netflix, iwantTFC, iflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO GO, iTunes, and YouTube Movies.

The FDCP Channel (fdcpchannel.ph), which hosted the 4th Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), will carry on in its offering of Filipino films. Social media channels will also continue to provide platforms for screenings as done by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Program on Facebook and by TBA Studios, ABS-CBN Films (Star Cinema), VIVA Films, and Regal Films on YouTube.

2. Showcase of more local content

Gone are the days when Filipino films had to take a backseat for Hollywood releases. There is no need to change play dates to avoid the big superhero films and there are no worries about being pulled out prematurely from a theater, at least while cinemas are still not allowed to operate at full capacity.

This, together with the boom of online streaming, will give Filipino filmmakers more chances to create content and release films without worrying about play dates and venues. Moreover, regional films will be viewed by larger audience because its theatrical reach has gone nationwide and, if the digital platform permits, even worldwide.

3. Spotlight sharing with other types of films

The full-length feature is still the most popular film type, and it will continue to reign supreme. However, because of the many limitations due to health and safety protocols, it is difficult to have a large-scale production during the lockdown. The number of people in a production shoot must not exceed 50 — too small for the many tasks done on the set.

With the delays in producing a full-length feature, other filmmakers are looking to create other film types such as short films, documentaries, and animated content. These can be done with a much smaller crew with less logistical concerns.

In 2020, Cinemalaya and Maginhawa Film Festival featured short films in competition, Daang Dokyu highlighted documentaries, and Animahenasyon brought Philippine animation to the forefront. The 170-film lineup of PPP4 also featured animated films, a total of 80 short films, and a Documentaries section.

The spotlight on other film types is expected to continue this year as shorts, documentaries, and animation are finding their way to mainstream platforms that have begun to offer alternative content. This was kicked off in October when Netflix streamed “Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story” by Avid Liongoren, which is the first animated Filipino Netflix film.

4. Virtual events and hybrid programs

Filipino film festivals were able to push through in 2020 by going digital. QCinema took it a step further by holding a hybrid festival that had socially distanced outdoor showings and events along with online screenings. The Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. also held the Aliw 2020 Congress on ground.

It was such a breather to finally attend events. The QCinema opening in November held the awarding of grants and prizes followed by the screening of the monochromatic version of 2020 Academy Awards Best Picture “Parasite” by Bong Joon-ho.

At the Aliw 2020 Congress in December, I humbly received the Special Award for Woman Empowerment. I was also a guest speaker on the plight of the live entertainment industry during the time of Covid-19 together with Philstage President and Trumpets Co-founder Audie Gemora and Department of Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali.

The staging of QCinema and Aliw Awards proves that it is possible to hold physical events, provided that there is strict adherence to health and safety protocols. I see this trend happening more often this year and I look forward to attending in-person events because the industry is essentially a film-loving community.

Another key virtual event in the industry that will go on in 2021 is the training of workers for upskilling and occupational safety and health awareness. More online educational sessions aim to help workers improve productivity while virtual safety and health trainings relative to Covid-19 will still be held such as the Safety and Health Orientation Webinar (SHOW) of the Safe Filming Program, a collaboration of the FDCP, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Health.

5. Alternative movie theaters

While we welcome the convenience provided by digital streaming platforms, nothing really beats the theatrical experience. Who does not miss being seated with a hundred others, all glued to the larger-than-life screen, and reacting collectively to the scenes?

It is an experience that is sorely missed, but there is still a lot of fear about the virus. For now, we have to make do with outdoor screenings just like what QCinema did. Another option is something similar to the “OpenAir Cinema One” event that the cable channel did even before the pandemic.

SM Cinema rolled out the drive-in cinema for movie theater-loving cinephiles while McKinley Hill introduced the float-in cinema at the Venice Grand Canal Mall which allows viewers to watch from a gondola. I am excited to see other alternatives to the movie theater experience this year.

PH Cinema’s road to recovery

These five trends in 2021 further boost my optimism for the industry despite being burdened by worry and uncertainties. Philippine Cinema has proven that it can survive the odds with adaptability, resourcefulness, creativity and resilience.

Let us continue to support Philippine Cinema all the more this year as it is still on the road to recovery. Hopefully, the circumstances in 2021 will allow our industry as well as the rest of global cinema to make a strong comeback both online and offline. Cheers to the resoluteness of our filmmakers, artists, and workers!

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.