Everything was set for the various film festivals in the regions that were scheduled this year. Some film fests were about to announce their Call for Entries, while others were already finalizing plans when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)  pandemic happened. The public health emergency called for the declaration of a national state of calamity, and mass gatherings were prohibited in order to contain the virus. This meant the postponement or cancellation of all film events in the country, including the regional film festivals. 

This did not stop regional initiatives as they were brought online due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Facebook page “Quarantimes: Short Films from the Regions” features works from students and filmmakers as well as advocacy campaigns related to COVID-19. The North Luzon Film Guild holds the Online Film Lab for Regional Stories with sessions on story pitching, creative producing, cinematography, directing, documentary filmmaking, mobile cinema, and more. 

Among the mentors are directors Arjanmar Rebeta for mobile cinema, Teng Mangansakan for “Articulating Stories from the Regions,” and Sheron Dayoc for creative producing. “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” actress Angeli Bayani talked about “Working with Directors,” “John Denver Trending” director Arden Rod Condez discussed the topic "Mobilizing Communities thru Regional Films and Marketing Regional Films,” and University of the Philippines Professor and Member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino gave a lecture on “Regional Films in the Creation of National Identity.”

In addition, the Binisaya Film Festival held The Distance Between Us Film Festival to raise funds for frontliners. The Best of Binisaya and other films were featured either as videos on demand on Vimeo or as works screened via Facebook watch parties. The Distance Between Us Film Festival also staged film conversations and musical performances.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) announced that it will host regional film festivals on an online platform for free. “This has long been our plan to balance the direction of the industry,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra said of the proposed CineLokal Online. “Regional film fests are crucial in keeping the flame alive because they serve as platforms for showcasing stories and talents from unique localities.”

Diño-Seguerra mentioned that the FDCP is extending such assistance for free during the Regional Stakeholders Town Hall held on April 24. CineLokal is an existing FDCP project that will soon be migrated to a digital platform called CineLokal Online. Inasmuch as the FDCP wants to highlight the uniqueness of the cinema viewing experience in theaters, it acknowledges the urgent need of Philippine Cinema to go digital. Through CineLokal Online, the FDCP aims to have free streamings as well as paid screenings wherein the number of viewers can be limited.

Aside from providing a new platform for regional films and expanding the audience of regional cinema, the FDCP wants to generate revenue streams for regional film workers who are affected by the current public health emergency. CineLokal Online is another FDCP initiative that aims to help displaced regional film workers, following the launch of its Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR) Program that provides assistance worth P8,000 to freelance audiovisual workers who suddenly lost work as a direct result of COVID-19. 

The CineLokal Online announcement was gladly welcomed by those at the Regional Stakeholders Town Hall such as Keith Deligero and Atty. Grace Lopez of Binisaya Film Festival, Julienne Ilagan of Cine de Oro Film Festival, Noel de Leon and Reymundo Salao of CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival, Juliet Cuizon of Lutas Negros Oriental Film Festival, Felimon Blanco of cineANIMO Ozamiz Short Film Festival, Ryanne Murcia of Festival de Cine Paz Mindanao, and Dax Cañedo of the Mindanao Film and Television Development Foundation.

Other attendees of the FDCP-hosted online conference were Hobart Savior of Northern Mindanao Film Festival (formerly CineMagis), Rudolph Alama and Ivan Tadena of Mindanao Film Festival, Junlou Tordos of SineBugsay: Caraga Region’s Film Festival, Jerome Dulin of North Luzon Cinema Guild, Noel Volante of Pasale Film Festival, Daryl Pasion of Pelikultura: The CALABARZON Film Festival, Alan Filoteo of Sundayag Film Festival, and Dr. Adrian Torres of Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival. 

While content creation and film distribution are solely done online at the moment, the FDCP is gearing for the return to the new normal as quarantine restrictions have been relaxed. The FDCP vows to propagate the government's new healthy safety protocols regarding the cinema experience to theater owners and the public. Moreover, renovations will soon be underway in the FDCP’s Cinematheque Centres in Iloilo, Davao, Zamboanga, Nabunturan in Davao de Oro, Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, and Manila to provide a better viewing experience for moviegoers nationwide.

Photo credits:

Neil Daza- BTS Cullion

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