To our dear filmmakers, friends and workers in Philippine Cinema -- this is Undersecretary Liza Dino-Seguerra, Chair and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines welcoming you all to the third iteration of the Southern Voices Film Lab!

It’s amazing that it has been over two years since our Sovolab filmmakers have taken their first steps into producing their cinematic work. So much has happened since the first 2019 lab in Tagum, Davao del Norte where our esteemed mentors Raymond Phathanavirangoon, Maggie Lee, Bianca Balbuena and Sheron Dayoc took the helm in getting them started with producing, script development, creative producing, and pre-production.  The second script development lab of Sovolab commenced in February 2020 in Davao City, where the projects were formally presented followed by intensive one-on-one consultations with our mentors Dodo Dayao and Yeonu Choi. This year, even in the throes of a global pandemic, SovoLab continues with even greater resolve as the filmmakers further hone their creativity and resourcefulness towards the culmination of their work. The 2021 Producers’ Lab portion of SovoLab now takes the projects forward, focusing on the essentials of pitching, seeking for and strengthening partnerships, and securing international distribution for their films.  Joining us as our mentors this year are Bianca Balbuena with Weijie Lai and Isabelle Glachant. After this session, while all the filmmakers have already been equipped with a wealth of technical information and insider insights to use in furthering their respective projects, one or two of these projects will be the awardees of a co-production grant worth One Million Pesos each from the FDCP.  Breathing life into these unmade films, step by step, meeting by meeting, learning by learning, has been one of the most exciting experiences I’ve witnessed in my years as FDCP Chair.

This mission to discover the indigenous stories of Mindanao and to empower the cinematic voices of its filmmakers has given FDCP one of its most significant goals. Where an aspiring filmmaker can come from any corner, anywhere across the archipelago, and be given the opportunities to learn, develop and succeed in the film arts and industry, this is clearly part of what we set out to do. A national cinema is a cinema that represents the sum of its parts, the voices of all its provinces and cultures, its diversity and unique narratives. We are so fortunate that our country is so rich in this aspect, and FDCP’s work aims to take all of us further, all over the country and outside of it, where the audiences of the world can see and experience a truly Filipino film. A thriving cinema culture is not just about art and expression, it is also about sustainability and continuance of production and the life of the industry.  If our labs and our mentors, aside from drawing from your creativity and excellence, can also instill flair and business sense to optimize a film’s potential, then we’re many miles ahead of the game. We hope that SovoLab takes you to that championship, and that when it’s your turn, you can hand down the useful tools to the next generations of filmmakers.

Our SovoLab filmmakers are already making waves in the international scene with their pitches and works in progress. Julienne Ilagan participates in the 2021 Rotterdam Lab where she will delve deep into film production and international networking. Zurich Chan, Gale Osorio and their project “Cangrejos”  has done SEAFIC Lab, and was one of only 28 chosen projects for the HAF or the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum. Joe Bacus and Ben Padero’s “Devils In Paradise” have gone to Busan’s Asian Film Market to pitch in 2019. Xeph Suarez and his project “Dancing The Tides” will be pitched at EAVE Ties That Bind this year for possible European-Asian co-production, and at the La Fabrique of Cinema Du Monde in France as well. This is a clear and positive signal that Filipino filmmakers are on the right track and that the world has begun to see what greatness we can accomplish for our cinema.

The world has been generous to us. I would like to take this opportunity to express our utmost gratitude to each and every mentor, both local and international, who have taken part in SovoLab, without whom, none of the journey would have been possible. You are the soul of SovoLab, and we would like to thank you for unselfishly sharing all that you know in order for us to keep getting better in what we need to do. 

And to all those who have yet to make the shift to filmmaking -- know that it is and will always be an arduous journey. But with a good armory of knowledge of your country and the world, a good team to work with, and the support of your community and your government, you can create, film, and screen your best work, with no limits to how far you can go.

Let’s get this show on the road, and go for gold ! SovoLab is here for you all, and we also thank you for your support and for believing in its goals. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!