The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in accordance with its mission to promote Philippine cinema to global audiences and offer continuous support to promising Filipino talents, proudly presents the Philippine delegation at the Marché du Film, held alongside the 77th Cannes Film Festival from May 14-25, 2024.
FDCP extends support to Filipino filmmakers and production companies in showcasing their films and projects at Marché du Film, facilitating connections within the international film industry for Filipino delegates.
Moreover, the Philippines is represented by visionary Filipino films, projects, and filmmakers at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival.
“Bona” at Cannes Classics
Cannes Classics presents the screening of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Lino Brocka’s masterpiece, “Bona,” restored in stunning 4K resolution by Carlotta Films and Kani Releasing. The film made its debut at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 1981.
Starring National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador, “Bona” follows the story of a young, starry-eyed schoolgirl who falls in love with an aging actor and becomes his devoted servant. However, when he decides to abandon her, the once meek Bona seeks vengeance in a chilling turn of events.
“Viet and Nam” at Un Certain Regard
Co-produced by Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew of Epicmedia Productions, Truong Minh Quy’s “Viet and Nam” competes in the esteemed Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. The film narrates the journey of two young miners who must fulfill a mission before circumstances separate them.
“Viet and Nam” receives support from the FDCP FilmPhilippines Incentives, a program aimed at promoting co-productions between the Philippines and foreign nations.
“Radikals” at Semaine de la Critique
Arvin Belarmino’s short film “Radikals” vies for recognition at the Semaine de la Critique (Cannes Critics’ Week), dedicated to uncovering and nurturing emerging talents worldwide. A collaborative effort between the Philippines, USA, Bangladesh, and France, “Radikals” delves into the narrative of a young newcomer from an unconventional chicken-dance troupe. After facing ridicule for his lackluster performance, he embarks on a surreal journey uncovering the group’s treatment of its weakest link.
Filipino Short Films at Directors’ Fortnight
Directors’ Fortnight, an independent section that champions diverse cinematic expressions, will open its program with several short films co-written and co-directed by Filipino filmmakers: Eve Baswel and Gogularaajan Rajendran’s “Walay Balay,” Maria Estela Paiso and Ashok Vish’s “Nightbirds,” Arvin Belarmino and Lomorpich Rithy’s “Silig,” and Don Eblahan and Tan Siyou’s “Cold Cut.”
These filmmakers participated in the Directors’ Factory, a short film residency program and feature film project incubator designed to foster collaborations among filmmakers across Asia.
“Daughters of the Sea” at La Fabrique Cinéma
Martika Escobar’s second feature film project, “Daughters of the Sea,” is participating in La Fabrique Cinéma, an intensive program designed to support the development and financing of emerging filmmakers’ projects through sessions and meetings with industry professionals.
“Daughters of the Sea” weaves together three Filipino sea legends and delves into the themes of various types of paper maps, the sea, and the concept of time. The project was developed at Full Circle Lab Philippines, co-presented by the FDCP and Tatino Films.
“Pony Boys” at Cannes Docs By the Sea
Joseph Mangat’s documentary project “Pony Boys” will be showcased at Marché du Film’s Cannes Docs by the Sea program, a specialized platform for feature documentary professionals. Supported by FDCP’s funding program CreatePHFilms and produced by Alemberg Ang, this documentary explores the lives of young horse handlers in Baguio. It presents a touching coming-of-age story as these adolescents navigate their youth while making a living through horse tourism.
Filipino Representatives at Spotlight Asia
Spotlight Asia debuts its first Asian IP Showcase this year, highlighting a diverse array of intellectual properties (IP) from Asia, including novels, series, and video games ready for film adaptation.
Representing the Philippines at Spotlight Asia are National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, Bianca Balbuena, and Paolo Herras. They will participate in pitching and networking events to foster collaborations within the international film community.
Ricky Lee’s “Sepa,” presented by Bianca Balbuena, and Paolo Herras’ “Strange Natives” will be featured at the Spotlight Asia IP Pitch, where authors and producers can connect with potential collaborators to support the development of their projects.
Filipino Producers at Producers Network
The IdeaFirst Company President Perci Intalan, WAF Studios’ co-founder Catsi Catalan, and Voyage Film Studios President Chuck Gutierrez are participating in this year’s Producers Network. This program is designed to foster collaborations between producers through workshops, meetings, and pitch sessions.
The Producers Network annually highlights the work of promising producers from around the world, offering them a trusted platform to expand their professional networks and explore co-production opportunities.
The Philippine delegation at Marché du Film includes 21 production companies, 14 films available for distribution, and 16 projects in development, all supported by the FDCP. Additionally, the FDCP is showcasing the Philippines’ film incentives for local and international projects at the Philippine-Singapore Pavilion, a dedicated venue for business meetings and partnerships in Cannes.
To learn more about the country’s participation at the Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film, follow FDCP’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
