CANNES, FRANCE — National film agencies Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) celebrated their continued partnership and cooperation at the Philippine-Singapore Reception on May 21 at the 75th Cannes Film Festival and Marche du Film.
Led by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño, SFC Director Joachim Ng, with Infocomm Media Development (IMDA) Cluster Director Jean Ng, the annual PH-SG Reception was a venue to strengthen and celebrate the alliance between the two countries and showcase co-production and co-funding opportunities for regional and global stakeholders. Through the Reception, filmmakers, producers, and other industry players and decision-makers gather at the Marche du Film Pavilion co-hosted by the agencies to meet and expand their networks for potential partnerships and collaboration.
In her welcoming remarks, FDCP Chairperson Diño shared, “Singapore has been our closest ASEAN ally in cinema since I started with FDCP five years ago. Between IMDA, the Singapore Film Commission, and our agency, we see a clear affinity when it comes to artistic and cultural priorities and sensibilities. For us both, film presents much opportunity to promote creativity and culture, and a potent power that must be nurtured and sustained.”
SFC Director Ng expressed his hopes for the next collaborations between the two countries. “The whole reason why film commissions exist is to nurture filmmakers from our respective countries. We also recognize that in order to grow and progress, it is not about our filmmakers but fostering relationships with other filmmakers in the region. In the years to come, you will see more projects supported by the SFC and FDCP by putting funding for the resources available for these filmmakers to actually do co-production projects.”
FDCP currently offers the FilmPhilippines International Co-Production Fund and ASEAN Co-Production Fund while the SFC offers the Southeast Asia Co-Production Grant (SCPG).
FDCP Chairperson Dino also took the opportunity of the Networking Hour to introduce to the ASEAN and international stakeholders the Filipino delegation participating in the 75th Cannes Film Festival and Marche Du Film. A total of 15 Filipino film companies and 32 Filipino delegates are participating onsite at the Festival and Market.
The 75th Cannes Film Festival and Marche Du Film runs from May 17 to 28 in Cannes, France.
