PH Film Industry Month highlights: FDCP bares ‘bigger plans’ to conserve cinematic heritage
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has come up with new programs and financial assistance for Filipino directors and producers that are “more inclusive and expansive,” as well as “bigger plans” for conserving our cinematic heritage.
This, in a nutshell, is the main thrust of the leadership of newly appointed FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III, who made the announcement at the recent closing ceremony of the 2022 Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) celebration.
“It’s time to put our differences aside, find a common ground, and go the extra mile that would enable us to spring back into that flourishing industry some years back, and even perform better,” Cruz said
during a speech that marked the start of a two-hour program held at the Gallery MiraNila by the Blue Leaf in Quezon City.
“When I assumed the post in July, I wasn’t sure what to expect or where to start in helping jump-start the industry. The last three years, with the dwindling
cinema audiences and the pandemic lockdowns, quite exemplified the lowest it has been for all of us,” Cruz began.
Working together
“With some really good help and a staff that pledged support, we got started reconnecting
with the parts of the industry that the FDCP has lost connection with. We are now reunited with them. There have been meaningful discussions, complaints, and wish lists, as well as ideas and hopes, but what was most important to me was the promise that we
will start working together to help each other out. This is the spirit that has kept us aflame all throughout this monthlong celebration,” Cruz pointed out.
“The willingness to help, collaborate, and support each other was more than what I expected. However, the FDCP cannot do it all. If you’re here with us tonight, that means you are one with us in our aim to strengthen, amplify and preserve Philippine cinema as we knew it from the Golden years,” he pointed out. “We would like you all to start using our programs to further your prospects in making films, which I know you are very capable of doing.”
He continued: “Tonight, there will be tributes, performances, and most importantly, there will be connections. Tonight, we will promise that every single day hence, we will wake up with a firm resolve to create, produce and promote the very best versions of Filipino films.”
Under Presidential Proclamation 1085, s. 2021, declaring September as the Philippine Film Industry Month, the FDCP has organized programs and activities to recognize and celebrate the invalu