FDCP launches historical scriptwriting tilt

MANILA, Philippines - On Feb. 1, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) launched a historical scriptwriting contest, in line with the year 2011 being a marker for several important events in Philippine history, such as our National Hero Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday, the country’s 65th year of independence from America, and the People Power Revolution’s 25th anniversary.

The aim of the project is to promote and support the development and growth of the Philippine film industry as a medium with which to uplift aesthetic, cultural and social values for a better understanding and appreciation of the Filipino identity.

The scriptwriting contest is open to all budding and established Filipino and of Filipino descent writers, historians, film enthusiasts, overseas Filipino workers, expats. Contestants can be based in the Philippines or abroad. Regular employees and/or members of the FDCP and the Cinema Evaluation Board are not allowed to join the contest.

The entry must be written from a historical, non-fiction point of view. The story should be unique, not common, not popularly known. It can delve on the unsung heroes of the Philippines or about little known events that took place in the history of the country. If the participant chooses to depict the lives of known heroes like Rizal and Bonifacio, he or she must present something new about those heroes that have not yet been discussed in the textbook.

The applicant’s entry should not have won in any scriptwriting or literary competition here or abroad. The entry must have not yet been produced by any movie company.

The applicant should submit only one entry accompanied by synopsis. The screenplay must be written in Filipino, English or in any local Filipino dialect. Script written in a local dialect should have a Tagalog or English translation. If the script is written in Filipino or English but carries in part dialogs in a local dialect, the vernacular should also have a translation.

All entries must be addressed to Film Development Council of the Philippines, 20th Floor Centerpoint Bldg., Julia Vargas cor. Garnet Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Deadline for submission of entries is on or before May 20. Winners will be announced on June 12. The winning scripts become the property of FDCP in perpetuity.

The first prize winner will receive P350,000, while the second and third placers will receive P250,000 and P150,000, respectively.

For details, call 634-6984 or 638-2739, or log on to www.filmdevcouncilph.org.