Co-production pact opens ‘new era’ for Phl, French film industries

The signing of the France-Philippines Film Co-Production Agreement during the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 14 marked a significant milestone for the film industries of both countries, as it also paved the way for the inaugural French-Philippine Co-Production Conference during the 28th French Film Festival held at SMX Aura, BGC, Taguig City.

- CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

The two-day conference highlighted new partnerships, investments and joint projects between the two nations, “allowing Filipino producers and directors to access French funding mechanisms, grants, tax incentives, talent networks and distribution channels, strengthening both creative and commercial pathways.”

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel noted in her opening speech that the initiative marked a new era for French-Filipino cinema.

She mentioned how the “new generation of Filipino filmmakers has proven their great talents in cinema storytelling,” citing, Brillante Mendoza’s “Serbis” and “Kinatay, which earned the Best Director award in Cannes in 2010, Avid Liongoren’s “Saving Sally,” projects produced by Bianca Balbuena including “Above the Clouds” with Pepe Diokno and “Filipiniana” with Rafael Mendoza, Erik Matti’s “On the Job,” Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” and many others.

Matti is also the director of “Call My Manager,” a Philippine adaptation of the hit French series “Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent),” and stars Edu Manzano and Judy Ann Santos.

“The cinema cooperation between our two countries in recent years has brought us closer, with the presence of the Philippines in international markets, among others,” Fontanel pointed out.