With the theme “Tuloy ang Tradisyon ng Pelikulang Pilipino,” the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will continue to honor the Philippine cinema tradition as it celebrates the Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) this coming September.
On its fourth edition, the PFIM will pay tribute to the legacies of National Artists for Film, especially marking the 100th birth anniversary of Eddie Romero.
“The purpose of this celebration is to honor tradition,” declared FDCP chairman Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes at a mediacon.
“We had honored groups involved in the archiving and restoration of films (in the past), so this year, we are continuing that. Without knowing the past, we do not understand the present much less know the direction of it. So let us celebrate the past so that we can get a better understanding of who we are right now and find a better direction of where we will go in the future.”
By celebrating PFIM, the FDCP “reaffirms its commitment to nurturing and sustaining the growth of Philippine cinema.”
On its opening night, Romero’s 1980 period drama film “Aguila” will be screened at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 1. A mini-exhibit will also be mounted to pay homage to Romero’s cinematic legacy that continues to inspire contemporary Filipino filmmakers and audiences. This event is in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Metropolitan Theater with the support of FPJ Productions.
“Aguila” starred the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), who portrayed Daniel Aguila, the patriarch of the Aguila family, who went missing and was presumed dead. The cast of “Aguila” also included Amalia Fuentes, Christopher de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, among others.
The FDCP has just unveiled the lineup of activities set to happen next month in observance of the PFIM.
From Sept. 4 to 27, the classic films by National Artists will be screened at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao, and Nabunturan, along with talkback sessions via the “Pamanang Pelikula: Honoring the Masterpieces of National Film Legends” section.
The movies that will be shown at Cinematheque Centres nationwide include: “Aguila,” “Anak Dalita” by Lamberto Avellana, “Ang Panday” by FPJ, “Bulaklak ng City Jail” by Mario O’Hara and topbilled by Nora Aunor, “Genghis Khan” by Manuel Conde, “Karnal” by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and written by Ricky Lee.
Also part of the list are “Manila by Night” by Ishmael Bernal, “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” by Lino Brocka, “Moises Padilla Story” by Gerry de Leon, and “Perfumed Nightmares” by Kidlat Tahimik.
The PFIM Gala Night will be held on Sept. 13 at the Teatrino Promenade, where celebrities will render special performances and celebrate industry milestones with filmmakers, luminaries, and officials.
Mario O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” will be screened to officially launch the “Films for Peace” section on Sept. 14 at the Intramuros Centro de Turismo. The Films for Peace will recognize the film as “a powerful tool to promote conflict resolution, cultural dialogue, and social justice.”
From Sept. 15 to 21, on the other hand, the following will be presented at the Cinematheque Centres nationwide as part of the Films for Peace section: Diaz-Abaya’s “Bagong Buwan,” Sheron Dayoc’s “Women of the Weeping River,” and O’Hara’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.”
On Sept. 15, the Cinematheque Centre Nabunturan will host a panel with Mindanaoan filmmakers and a screening of Kip Oebanda’s “Liway,” focusing on cinema’s role in promoting conflict resolution and social cohesion.
A two-day national convention for students and educators, called Film Education Convention (FilmEC), will take place at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde on Sept. 17 to 18.
The inaugural FilmEC event will highlight top student films, panel discussions and film book sales. The aim of FilmEC is to “elevate film education in the Philippines and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.”
Reyes announced they have established a group called Academic Film Society where more than 60 schools and universities all over the country are part of.
“Side bar to this, the FDCP will also help out schools and we also plan to bring the training outside Manila,” added Reyes.
On the other hand, select regional films from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be screened at Trinoma, SM Southmall, Robinsons Galleria, and Cinematheque Centres on Sept. 18 to 24 for only P50.
“We are bringing over the full-length films from Mindanao and Visayas, making them accessible to the Manila audience. It’s about time na mapanood natin ang mga gawa nila,” stated Reyes.
Featured in the PFIM x PCIM (Philippine Creative Industries) – Sine50: Pelikula ng Bayan Screenings and Film Talks, in partnership with Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, are “Tu Pug Imatuy” by Arbi Barbarona, “Cleaners” by Glenn Barit, “Huwebes Huwebes” by Don Gerardo Frasco, Januar Yap and Kris Villarino, and “Little Azkals” by Babyruth Villarama.
Come Sept. 20 to 22, 10 Sine Kabataan finalists will premiere their shorts films during the Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival 2024 to be held at the Shangri-La Plaza. The budding filmmakers earlier received grants worth P150,000 each and completed film labs to refine their projects. The Sine Kabataan offers a “platform for youth to present their perspectives on contemporary issues through filmmaking.”
On Sept. 27, 15 select filmmakers will pitch their projects to various Filipino producers as part of the PFIM x PCIM: DGPI-FDCP Film Pitch at the Seda Vertis North. This section is presented by the FDCP and Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. The filmmakers received a pre-event mentorship from an industry expert at the DGPI-FDCP Film Pitch Workshop held Sept 7.
In the evening, on the same date, the closing ceremony of the PFIM will happen at the Seda Vertis North. The Philippine entry for the 97th Academy Awards, FDCP’s upcoming initiatives, PFIM 2024 highlights and FDCP’s achievements will also be announced.