The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has been continuing its efforts in supporting, promoting, and empowering the local film industry.
In the last few months, this support has come in the form of the DEAR assistance program for displaced workers during the pandemic, online film festival support, regional film schools, and more.
FDCP commemorates “Sine Sandaan,” the year-long celebration of the Centennial of Philippine Cinema that kicked off in September last year.
As the celebration nears its end, FDCP ramped up its program of activities for an eventful September dubbed as “Sine Sandaan: The Next 100,” which represents the agency’s vision and hope of moving forward to the future with Philippine Cinema through innovation, collaboration, and solidarity.
With this special celebration, FDCP has scheduled an array of events aiming to celebrate, support, and advance the growth of Philippine cinema.
“September marks the official closing of the 100 years of Philippine cinema. Despite the pandemic, the FDCP wanted to ensure that our efforts will meaningfully honor this once-in-lifetime event through various events, activities, and programs all year round,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño spoke about the events in store for this milestone celebration.
“And as we close ‘Sandaan,’ we open our ‘Next 100’ by launching several initiatives as we look forward to a better, more sustainable, and progressive hundred years.”
Diño stressed that these initiatives represent how the agency foresees the future of the Philippine film industry and how they can support it to reach greater heights.
“The future of Philippine Cinema is to realize the ambition of continuously elevating the level of filmmaking in the country and be globally competitive. It’s about empowering the stakeholders to diversify and enrich not just through our narratives and stories but in our representation in the international film community and industry,” Diño said.
This month’s conduct of activities is all about collaboration as FDCP wishes for Sine Sandaan: The Next 100 to be a platform to partner and support stakeholders and organizations and engage them as professionals.
“On Sept. 30 at the closing event, we will make this a holistic celebration by giving work and financial support to the workers of the Philippine film industry as they recover from the damaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while also still making the best of what we have as a community,” Diño added.
To officially close the Philippine Cinema Centennial, FDCP will host and stream a two-hour virtual event that encapsulates its aspirations for the future of local cinema. Featuring performances from a powerhouse of top artists including Lani Misalucha, Gary V, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, The Company, Acapelago, and Robert and Isay Alvarez, the industry will push forward to reaching greater heights, exploring uncharted film territories, and crossing borders.
For more information and schedule of events, visit fdcp.ph.