Film Development Council of the Philippines supports mobility of filmmakers

A new travel assistance program for producers of local films that will compete or be exhibited in festivals abroad has been announced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). FDCP Chair Liza Diño said the new program aims to standardize the incentive scheme so that all qualified filmmakers will get the same kind of support from the agency.

“The FDCP earlier identified the festivals on its priority list, but aid was given to the same people who requested for it,” Diño observed. “I’ve also received complaints on the issue when I did my consultation with the film community, so I proposed to the council a standard procedure to ensure that more people can avail of the financial aid.”

She disclosed the highlights of the new travel assistance program as follows: A full-length film that is part of the main competition under the category, Competitive Feature Film Festivals, can avail of airfare for two persons (the filmmaker, actor or a member of production staff), their hotel accommodation for three days and two nights at a partner hotel and a per diem for three days ($50 or $70/day depending on the country).

A movie for exhibition/screening is entitled to airfare for one person. A competing short film is entitled to airfare for one person (the filmmaker, actor or a member of production staff), as well as hotel accommodation for three days at a partner hotel.A short film that is up for exhibition will get financial assistance in the amount of not more than $500.Full-length projects competing in the Specialized Feature Film Festivals category will be entitled to airfare for one person and hotel accommodation for three days. The same will be accorded to competing documentary films and short films.

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