MANILA, PHILIPPINES — CreatePHFilms, the local funding program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) officially opens its new cycle this 2023 to provide funding to Filipino filmmakers and producers for the development and production of their films.

CreatePHFilms Cycle 1 of 2023 opened its call for applications last January 16, 2023 with four funding programs for mid-length and feature films which can be fiction, documentary, or animation:

• Development Fund: A selective and non-recoupable fund of PHP300,000 with mentoring sessions with industry experts.

• Small Budget Production Fund: A selective and non-recoupable fund for the production of Filipino films with an overall production budget of less than PHP15,000,000.

• Large Budget Production Fund: A selective and non-recoupable fund for the production of Filipino films with an overall production budget of at least PHP15,000,000.

• Post-production Fund: A selective and non-recoupable fund of PHP300,000 for post-production companies engaged with post-production companies registered under the FDCP National Registry for Companies.

Eligible applicants must be duly registered and accredited by the FDCP National Registry and eligible projects must be directed by a Filipino.

Strengthening PH Cinema and boosting the economy through CreatePHFilms

For eligible expenses, 100% of the fund must be spent in the Philippines to boost the local economy as this will also provide economic opportunities for local services, artists, crew members, and other film workers.

In 2022, FDCP awarded a total of PHP 4.6 million to 19 grantees: 15 for Scriptwriting and Project Development, two for Small Budget Production, and two for Post-production.

Among the most notable grantees of the CreatePHFilms funding programs are Sundance 2022-winning film “Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago” (Leonor Will Never Die) by Martika Escobar, Sundance 2023 selection “In My Mother’s Skin” by Kenneth Dagatan, and internationally-acclaimed disaster film “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” (Whether the Weather is Fine) by Carlo Francisco Manatad,

Through this funding initiative, the FDCP aims to amplify the Philippine film industry’s reputation as a growing and thriving film hotspot with local, independent, and innovative creatives in order to attract worldwide attention.

The CreatePHFilms Cycle 1 of 2023 will accept applications until March 17, 2023. To know more about the application process, visit: https://fdcp.ph/programs/createphfilms. For inquiries, send an email to [email protected].