After UNESCO award, Quezon City bares new initiatives for the film industry

“Nakakakilig palang sabihin yun,” QC mayor Joy Belmonte beamed as she delivered her welcoming remarks during the opening night of the QCinema International Film Festival held at Gateway Cineplex 18, Araneta City.

QC was recently named a UNESCO Creative City of Film, becoming one of the first cities in Southeast Asia to receive such recognition.

“Of course, all of these began with our very own QCinema. This year, our film festival, our baby, turns 13. It is now a teenager. After all the pain that comes with birthing and raising this ambitious venture, we gather tonight to celebrate what it has become,” she continued.

“We are so proud that we have grown a formidable platform for outstanding filmmaking, drawing entries and audiences from different parts of the world and pushing the boundaries of storytelling.”

Through QCinema, they are “giving filmmakers and creatives the space to explore possibilities and redefine conventions,” she added. “Back when we were just introducing QCinema, we came up with a banner which said, one city to the world. That simple line encapsulated our mission to build upon QC’s storied legacy.”

Belmonte told The STAR that carrying the title comes with a significant amount of responsibility.

“And I think (QCinema) is the leading film festival in the country because we have everything in this film festival. Lahat talaga ng uri ng pelikula pinapakita natin dito. And this I think is the only film festival that is fully subsidized by the government, which is very unusual in this country where arts and culture take a backseat, and are not given that importance.”

But at QCinema, they believe in the importance of arts and culture for nation-building. Belmonte affirmed, “And it’s true here with QCinema because we’ve been able to make a name for ourselves as the Film City primarily because the backbone is this film festival as well as the long history we’ve had with all the main film studios being in QC.”

She cited the QC-based film studios such as Sampaguita and LVN Pictures, the generations of directors and storytellers and the major networks located in the city.

She also mentioned the films that originated from QCinema which earned major recognitions from local and international award giving bodies namely, FAMAS, Gawad Urian and Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, and prestigious festivals in Busan, Osaka and New York.

Belmonte likewise underscored QCinema’s various platforms to advance its various advocacies, such as social justice, inclusivity and environmental protection.

As QC embraced the Film City recognition, they’ve become more driven to fulfill the city’s

“full transformation as a thriving creative economy,” Belmonte said.

Through a landmark ordinance passed by QC council, they have expanded the school of the QC Film Commission to become the Quezon City Screen Commission and established a dedicated film permits office.

From left: QCinema Film Foundation president Manet Dayrit, QC Tourism Department head Giana Barata, QCinema Film Foundation VP Jim Baltazar, Belmonte, Uniprom COO Irene Jose, QCinema artistic director Ed Lejano and QCinema Film Foundation member Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala 

“We are also affirming our commitment to upholding the rights of the people that hold up the industry through policies that promote fair labor practices and safe working conditions for media workers. Under the leadership of the Quezon City Screen Commission, we will continue to strengthen our film ecosystem in the city,” Belmonte went on.

Among their initiatives are organizing training programs in film development, production, and marketing, collaborating with film producers from Southeast Asia and other UNESCO Creative cities and hosting an annual summit for industry leaders, cultural agencies and policymakers.

Belmonte hoped that these efforts and their designation as a Film City will “open new opportunities for us to showcase local talent on a global stage, attract international collaborations, and nurture innovation within our creative community.”

More than 80 films are being screened in the ongoing film festival at Gateway, Robinsons Galleria, Eastwood, Trinoma, Fishermall and Cloverleaf. The film event will run until Nov. 23. Tickets are priced at P250.

The awarding ceremony for Asian Next Wave Best Picture, the New Horizons Best Film, the RainbowQC Best LGBTQIA+ Film, the QCShorts Best Picture, and other awards was held yesterday.

“Couture” by Alice Winocour starring Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie was the opening film.

“‘Couture’ is a film within a film. It stars Angelina Jolie as a filmmaker covering Paris Fashion Week as one of the storylines. And our theme is Film City. And we have a lot of films within a film in our program,” QCinema artistic director Ed Lejano told this paper on why “Couture” was selected as the opening film.

QC Film Development Commission executive director Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra 

“(We have) films about the art and craft of filmmaking as part of the story. And it also celebrates that behind the surfaces lies other realities that look beyond optics and we’ve been going through natural calamities, government controversies and it’s time to look beyond the surface and look for our inner humanity.”

Japanese actor, writer and illustrator Lily Franky (“Like Father, Like Son,” “Renoir,” “Shoplifters”), National Artist Ricky Lee, actress Charlie Dizon, distinguished filmmakers and guests were present during the opening night on Friday.

Dizon is part of Janus Victoria’s “Diamonds in the Sand” cast along with Franky. She learned the Japanese language for her role as a half-Japanese girl.

On what she loves about Japanese culture, Dizon told The STAR, “They are very calm. Parang super important sa kanila yung Zen and their work ethics. All of them are always on time and very professional. Parang kalmado pero parang mabilis.”

She and Franky likewise shared insights into their acting process. “Ayaw niya daw pinapa-practice yung lines niya. Parang kapag nagbabasa siya ng lines niya gusto niya quiet lang. Tapos gusto niya maririnig niya mismo kapag nandun na sa moment. We have the same acting process. We take the moment.”

— Charmie Joy Pagulong