CANNES, FRANCE: As one of the world's top three most important film festivals and film markets, the global industry has always looked to Cannes for the trends and future of festivals and the market for films. Indeed, "Cannes is Cannes" as every year, it sets the tone, direction and vision for the world's players.

Last year, not even Cannes was spared from the uncertainty of conducting big events in the midst of the pandemic year. But just like the trendsetter that it is, Cannes was also one of the first virtual film festivals to take place in 2020.

This year, Cannes held a hybrid event to accommodate onsite and online events.

To be sure, the resumption of the Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) in France has spread optimism and excitement the world over - it gives hope to other festivals and makes a statement that the film industry is bouncing back.

To show support for the world's largest international film festival and what it has done to pave the way for Philippine Cinema to solidify its global track in the international festival scene, the Philippines, through the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), is participating in Cannes whose activities run until July 17.

Just like Cannes 2021, we are going hybrid in this participation - 37 delegates from 33 companies join the virtual edition of Marché du Film while film project "Dancing the Tides" (directed by Xeph Suarez and produced by Alemberg Ang) in the Cannes film lab La Fabrique Cinéma de l'Institut français; "Lingua Franca" director Isabel Sandoval, producer Evelyn Vargas, and a few other Filipino producers and I make up the onsite participation of the Philippines in Cannes.

Representing the Philippines as head of the agency, this international mission goes beyond reconnecting with industry stakeholders and catching up on new trends in the global landscape of film. It's an opportunity to align with government counterparts to discuss plans for the cooperation of France and the Philippines to enhance the future of Philippine Cinema.

The long road to Cannes amid the pandemic and global restrictions was arduous. But here we are in its 74th edition, proving that cinema can make its much-awaited and much-needed comeback.

A different Cannes in 2021

The usual bustling Croisette is not as crowded this year. Streets are not packed with a mix of tourists and festival-goers. The cinemas are not as full. The riviera that used to be the spot for international commissions is mostly occupied by European commissions.

PH cinema in Cannes

Suarez and Ang are in Cannes to pitch "Dancing the Tides" at La Fabrique, which aims to help talented young directors from emerging countries establish partnerships with international stakeholders.

The first feature film project of Suarez from Zamboanga received the Special Jury Prize with a P500,000 Co-Production Grant from the FDCP's Southern Voices Film Lab. Another regional title at Cannes is the short from Bicol, "Pabása kan Pasyón" by Hubert Tibi. It is included in the Short Film Corner of Cannes Court Métrage.

Meanwhile, Marché du Film is the largest film market in the world. Of our 37 individual delegates, eight were chosen for the exclusive Cannes Producers Network.

In addition, Cannes Docs under Marché du Film featured Daang Dokyu festival director Baby Ruth Villarama as a guest speaker for "Connecting the Dots: Asian Documentaries and their Home Ground Windows."

No stopping the global film community

Last year's Cannes Docs Online was rewarding, but nothing beats the in-person experience of being among the global film community. Indeed, it's great to be back at Cannes.

The coronavirus may have caused the cancellation of Cannes last year, but it can never stop the global film community from learning, creating content, interacting and collaborating.

Cheers to the comeback of Cannes! Here's to more years of providing platforms for French Cinema, and works and filmmakers from the Philippines and the rest of the world.

And here's to representing our industry courageously and proving to the global community that "Yes, we Cannes!"

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.