QCinema Project Market (QPM) concluded the weekend with an awards ceremony awarding $442,000 worth of prizes and in-kind services to projects in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia.
This event is part of an expanding list of industry programs. QCinema International Film Festival (November 8-17) It is one of the major film events in the Philippines hosted by Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila’s vast metropolitan area.
QPM (November 14-16), which has been running a film festival for 12 years, celebrated its 2nd anniversary this year, and the Asian Next Wave Film Forum was also held. Co-production.
QPM selected 20 projects, including 10 from the Philippines and 10 from the rest of Southeast Asia. Includes award-winning projects Myanmar-Indonesia co-production Beer Girl in Yangon Upcoming works from Filipino filmmakers Martika Ramirez Escobar, Eve Baswel, and Sonny Calvento.
Liza Diño, executive director of the Quezon City Film Commission, which organized QPM, said the market is part of plans to solidify the Philippines’ position in the fast-growing wave of international co-productions and producer networks in Southeast Asia. “We have been doing this in the Philippines for many years, finding ways to collaborate with other Southeast Asian filmmakers and supporting them with funding,” Diño said, referring to co-productions such as: Vietnam and South and Plan 75Filipino producers played an important role.
“But we wanted to expand our industry platform to ensure continuity for our work in Southeast Asia and to understand what other regions the Philippines can actually collaborate with,” she continues. “Latin America is an easy place to explore because of our shared Spanish heritage.”
Lack of continuity has been a growing problem in Southeast Asia over the past year, with changing governments in several countries inevitably impacting film policy and funding. Diño served as chairman of the Film Development Commission of the Philippines (FDCP) until a change of government through the 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, the Asia Next Wave Film Forum, held for the first time this year, aims to expose all international knowledge and experience to other producers, filmmakers, scholars and film enthusiasts in the Philippine film industry.
“that Vietnam and South The case study was a real eye-opener for local filmmakers who have been making small-scale films in the Philippines but have not yet ventured into international co-productions,” explains Manet Dayrit, president of the Quezon City Film Foundation, which oversees the festival and new films. do. court.
But in the meantime Vietnam and SouthThe eight-country co-production that premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival falls squarely into the arthouse category, Dayrit explains, with both the Forum and QPM seeking a fusion between arthouse and genre filmmaking.
“This year’s theme was ‘Riding the Waves: Changing Currents in Art and Genre.’ “I felt that the boundaries between art and genre were becoming more intertwined in Asia, and I wanted to figure out how to navigate that change,” says Dayrit.
Many of the projects selected for QPM also reflected this trend. Some, like Kenneth Dagatan’s project molderAtsuko Hirayanagi returnof calvento mother maybe And Mario Cornejo my neighborhood gangster It contains elements of horror, thriller, supernatural and comedy.
Meanwhile, the QCinema Film Festival is expanding, with awards being awarded in the New Horizons category for first and second features, and the LGBTQ+-themed Rainbow QC category, in addition to the main competition category, Asian Next Wave. Including the winner of New Horizons toxicitywith Lithuanian director SauléBliuvaité. I never cry when I’m with LiFrom Pham Ngoc Lân, Vietnam. Marcelo Caetano won the RainbowQC competition. baby and Mikko Mäkelä’s Sebastian.
Two Vietnamese movies – Vietnam and South and Don’t cry butterfly – We also received an award from Asian Next Wave. “It was a strong year for Vietnamese cinema,” said Ed Lejano, artistic director of QCinema. “Over the past three years, we have done particularly well in the art film category, some of which have been released commercially. “Philippine arthouses are seeing more films come to life through the project market and local co-productions.”
But interestingly enough, Bor Ocampo, an award-winning Filipino film from Asian Next Wave. Money SlapperThis production, which had its world premiere at QCinema and for which John Lloyd Cruz won Best Actor, was not a co-production. “It was a completely Filipino indie, but it was co-produced by the star,” explains Lejano.
Looking at the bigger picture, Diño and Dayrit explain that both the festival and industry programs are part of Quezon City’s broader vision, which, with the support of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, is working toward recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. .
More than 70% of Metro Manila’s film and television industry workers reside in Quezon City, which is also home to several television networks, including ABS-CBN and GMA, studio facilities, major production companies, the Philippine Congress, and several countries. government department.
There are now plans to make Quezon City a more cosmopolitan city. “The government has a very active plan to make Quezon City a filming destination, attract international co-productions here, and provide incentives and other support,” explains Diño.
It’s still early days, but discussions are underway on how the city’s entertainment tax levied on ticket sales, concerts and other entertainment activities can be used to enhance the skills of local filmmakers and attract more international productions to Quezon City.
Fostering an environment for collaboration and networking. This synergy is crucial for nurturing new talent and ensuring that fresh perspectives are brought into the Southeast Asian film industry.
Great. I would like to start by clarifying some points about the QCinema Project Market (QPM) and how it has evolved over the years. Can you please tell us more about the market’s role in fostering collaborations between filmmakers in Southeast Asia and the Philippines?
Guest 1: Yes, of course. QPM is a platform created by the Quezon City Film Foundation to promote co-productions between filmmakers in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. It was established in 2019, and since then, we have seen some amazing projects come out of this collaboration. The market selects 20 projects each year, with 10 coming from the Philippines and 10 from the rest of Southeast Asia. This year, we had projects from countries like Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines selected for funding and in-kind prizes. The focus is on providing support to talented filmmakers and helping them bring their stories to life.
Guest 2: Absolutely! One significant achievement of QPM is the promotion of cross-cultural exchange. By bringing together filmmakers from different regions, we can share our experiences and learn from each other. The market also aims to highlight the potential for commercial success in the genre of arthouse and horror films, which are often overlooked by mainstream distributors. In addition, QPM provides an opportunity for filmmakers to network and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.
Following up on that, can you discuss the Asia Next Wave Film Forum, its purpose, and how it complements QPM?
Guest 1: The Asia Next Wave Film Forum is a new initiative by the Quezon City Film Foundation that aims to promote the work of emerging filmmakers in the region. It provides a space for them to showcase their work and interact with industry professionals. This year, we focused on the importance of genre filmmaking and how it can be used to tell compelling stories. The forum also included panel discussions and masterclasses led by experienced filmmakers.
Guest 2: The Asia Next Wave Film Forum and QPM work hand in hand to create a comprehensive experience for filmmakers. The forum allows upcoming filmmakers to learn from industry veterans while
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