As film festivals around the world migrate their screenings into online platforms due to the pandemic, so do their various film markets and events. Marche du Film, the business counterpart of the renowned Cannes Film Festival, will be holding its 2020 edition online from June 22 to June 26. Considered one of the world’s largest film markets, Marche du Film intends for its online edition to recreate the market experience in Cannes by featuring live and real-time meetings, virtual screenings and booths, and more.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) grieves for the demise of veteran actress Anita Linda who passed away at the age of 95 on June 10, 2020.

The Department of Health (DOH), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have joined forces to release guidelines for the resumption of production work and activities in the film and audiovisual industry amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic

Two animated projects from The Philippines will be pitched at this year's Annecy Online Film Festival. These projects will both screen under the Annecy festival's Animation du Monde program. Oyayi, an animated feature film directed by Mitzi Delima will be among 10 projects from around the world pitched on June 18 under the Animation du Monde MIFA Pitches program. The film tells the story of a young outcast who heads to her mother's tribe looking for answers for why she was abandoned. Along the way, she discovers that Christians are forbidden in those parts.

The film and audiovisual (AV) industry was the first to be badly hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Screenings and events were cancelled and productions were postponed as early as January when the first few COVID-19 cases in the country were reported. The film and AV industry is projected to be the last to recover from the blows of the public health crisis because mass gatherings remain to be prohibited. 

Manila, May 25, 2020 - Netflix today announced a new slate of beloved and critically-acclaimed Pinoy films across a variety of genres - from horror, comedy, to critically-acclaimed drama. Partnering with leading production studios, including Viva, ERJ Found Films, Black Cap Pictures and Changhe Films, the latest lineup opens Netflix members to a world of diverse storytelling from the Philippines.

On April 27, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order 2020-015, which directed National Government Agencies (NGAS) to develop and submit sector-specific plans and guidelines on COVID-19 public health standards to the DOH. This will be consolidated and endorsed by the Secretary of Health to the Inter-Agency Task Force On Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and complied with by the private sectors involved. 

While most countries await for final safety protocols for audiovisual production work and anticipate their government’s go signal to reopen for business, the Philippines is among the first few nations where cameras can finally start rolling again. Film, television, and other audiovisual shoots are permitted to take place in most parts of the country, following the changes in the community quarantine classifications that took effect on May 16 and will last until May 31, 2020. 

INTERIM GUIDELINES ON SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR THE CONDUCT OF FILM AND AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION SHOOTS TO MITIGATE COVID-19