It takes a great deal of time to develop and hone filmmaking skills, that is why it is better to start early when training future filmmakers. This is the thrust of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Directors’ Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) as they pledge to carry on with their partnership in the FDCP Film School.

Launched last October, the Film Philippines Incentive Scheme seeks to encourage international production companies to shoot in the Philippines by providing financial incentives for projects that co-produce with or hire local production companies. The new initiative takes effect in January 2020 and comprises of the Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP) and the International Co-Production Fund (ICOF).

Hailed as one of the country's most prestigious award-giving bodies and regarded as the Philippine counterpart to the Academy Awards, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Luna Awards has continued to recognize the best talents in the film industry this year via its reputable peer voting process. This was boosted by the partnership of FAP and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), with SGV & Co. as the official tabulator of the 37th FAP Luna Awards.

Raymund Ribay Gutierrez’s debut feature film Verdict has claimed the NETPAC Award at this year’s Hainan Island International Film Festival. It was one of three Filipino films that screened at the 2nd HIIFF, alongside Brillante Mendoza’s Mindanao and Grace Simbulan’s documentary A is for Agustin.

Filipina Actress Bea Alonzo was one of eight actors who received the “Asian Stars Up Next Award” at the 4th International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM) during the festival’s closing ceremony on Tuesday, December 10. 

The Philippines made waves onscreen and offscreen at the Singapore Media Festival (SMF) which hosted major events such as the 30th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) and ScreenSingapore. Two Filipino films were part of this year’s SGIFF lineup: “Verdict” (2019) by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez and “Maicling pelicula nañg ysañg Indio Nacional” (2005) by Raya Martin. “Verdict” bagged the Best Performance Award for the late actor Kristofer King at the Silver Screen Awards.