The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) highlighted the Filipino cinema industry by continuing collaborations and forging partnerships in the 70th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany. The FDCP, which continues to fulfill its mission of prospering Philippine Cinema and promoting it locally and globally, kick-started 2020 at no less than the first A-List international film festival of the year with the biggest film market in the world (European Film Market), the Berlinale.

The Philippine delegation, led by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, even made waves in several Berlinale events. Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiñana” won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the Berlinale Shorts competition, the Philippine Cinema Night co-presented by the FDCP and Philippine Embassy in Germany was packed, and Filipino film screenings were well-received. The Philippine flag was also raised at the Berlinale Co-Production Project Market, Berlinale Talents training program, and Berlinale Co-Production Project Market Visitors Programme.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra and “Filipiñana” director and writer Rafael Manuel

At the world premiere of “Death of Nintendo” by Raya Martin

The FDCP made known its FilmPhilippines incentive programs, aligned with international partners, and planned collaborative projects. “Thank you for embracing yet again our country, the Philippines, through our Cinema,” Diño-Seguerra said of the Berlinale that was held from February 20 to March 1. “To our filmmakers, continue to raise the bar of what Philippine Cinema should represent in all aspects, shapes, and forms⁠—never stop learning and never stop sharing our beautiful stories.”

Philippine Cinema Night at the PH Embassy in Germany

The Philippine Embassy in Germany was a staunch partner of the FDCP for Berlinale 2020, making sure that the Filipino contingent was well taken care of. It co-hosted the Philippine Cinema Night held at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Berlin. The Philippine Cinema Night is a networking event organized by the FDCP for Filipino and international filmmakers to connect and collaborate. The event also aims to showcase Filipino culture and continue with the year-long celebration of One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema.

“To Chair Liza Diño-Seguerra, the FDCP team, and the Philippine  delegation who have been working tirelessly for Philippine Cinema, super saludo kami! It’s truly an honor for the Embassy to welcome you all. Here’s to the next 100 years of Philippine Cinema,” remarked Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega. The Filipino delegates were all praises for the hospitality and support of the cinephile ambassador and her team. “Thank you, Ambassador Tess Dizon-de Vega for the warm welcome and for opening your home to the Philippine delegation in this year's Berlinale,” said Diño-Seguerra.

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega

At the Philippine Cinema Night held at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Berlin

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra speaks to guests at the Philippine Cinema Night

The Philippine Cinema Night was a full house event graced by Korean Film Council Chairman Oh Seok-geun, Tokyo International Film Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu, festival programmers from Cannes and Locarno, Berlinale organizers, filmmakers, producers, creatives, talents, and film journalists. Guests were treated to adobo, tocino, longganisa, turon and other sumptuous Filipino dishes by Filipino-German chef Bulawan Callanta and the crew of Ayan Filipino Streetfood Restaurant in Berlin. A showcase of Filipino liqueur, including Don Papa Rum and Manille Liqueur, was available and Filipino-German mixologist Jane Narag Kupke made homegrown cocktails.  

Putting the spotlight on Filipino films and talents

The Philippine Cinema Night celebrated the achievements of Filipinos in Berlinale 2020. Four titles were made by Filipinos: “Death of Nintendo” by Raya Martin, Alex Piperno’s “Window Boy Would Also Like to Have a Submarine” co-produced by Armi Rae Cacanindin,  “Orphea” by  German Alexander Kluge and Filipino Khavn, and short film “Filipiñana” by Rafael Manuel which bagged the Berlinale Shorts Silver Bear Jury Prize.

“Extremely grateful to everyone who supported and believed in ‘Filipiñana’ even before the Berlinale selection, the rest of our amazing cast, crew, and most especially our Kickstarter backers. Congratulations to us! The Silver Bear is ours. And of course, thank you Berlinale and Berlinale Shorts for giving ‘Filipiñana’ this platform. Couldn’t have asked for a better world premiere,” exclaimed Manuel under the Facebook username Ram Mendoza. The social commentary short film is a Philippines-United Kingdom co-production written and directed by Manuel for the London Film School. It aims to expose the marginalization and exploitation experienced by tee-girls who spend long hours teeing golf balls at a golf course. The film received support from 139 Kickstarter backers who pledged more than USD 12,400. 

At the Philippine Cinema Night

Other Filipino participants in Berlinale are writer-director Antoinette Jadaone and producer Dan Villegas of Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects together with producer Bianca Balbuena-Liew of Epicmedia Productions for “Boldstar,” which was among the Berlinale Co-Production Market selections. Director-editor Celina Marie Donato and producer Gale Osorio took part in the Berlinale Talents training program while Alemberg Ang, Anne Prado-Magadia, Carlo Valenzona, and Gutierrez Mangansakan II participated in the Berlinale Co-Production Market Visitors Programme.

FilmPhilippines shines at Berlinale Country Session

The FDCP’s banner initiative for the year is under the FilmPhilippines Office. FilmPhilippines has the Film Location Incentive Program (FLIP), International Co-Production Fund (ICOF), ASEAN Co-Production Fund (ACOF), and Philippine Co-Production Fund (PCOF). Diño-Seguerra enthusiastically introduced FilmPhilippines during the Country Session held at the Berlin House of Representatives. Six nations were part of the Country Session: the Philippines, Mexico, the Netherlands, Canada, Estonia, and Germany. She mentioned FLIP that aims to offer financial incentives to productions shooting their films in the Philippines and ICOF that seeks to offer co-production funds to international productions that have a Filipino producer. 

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra talks about FilmPhilippines at the Berlinale Country Session.

Diño-Seguerra related after being the lone Asian representative in the Berlinale Country Session, “I am happy to report that FilmPhilippines was received with so much enthusiasm from the international crowd, and the interest to work with the country is even intensified now that we have something more to offer beyond our talents and beautiful locations.” Ambassador Dizon-de Vega added, “It is great to see the Philippines among potential international partners at the Berlinale and European Film Market 2020. As Chair Liza and Team Philippines put it, we don’t just have a wealth of film talent but also a welcoming creative community.”

Interfacing with film industry figures

Prior to the Country Session, the FDCP team was present at the opening of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, followed by a meeting in the BPX Workshop. The FDCP team also attended numerous meetings as it strove to sustain partnerships with international stakeholders who have supported the Spotlight Philippines Program that allowed the FDCP to partner with film festivals for a special programming of Filipino films. The FDCP also had its sights on creating collaborations focused on short films and documentaries. 

At the Berlin House of Representatives where the Berlinale Country Session was held

Mariecon Aranda-Esguerra and Lucia Facultad from the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO)

of the Senate of the Philippines, FDCP Chief Administrative and Finance Officer Emelita Alquiza, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra,

and Miguel Alfonso Lima and Bernard Jose Patalinghug, legislative officers of Senator Sonny Angara.

On its first day in Berlinale, the FDCP team went down to business straight from the airport. It met up with Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche of Udine Far East Film Festival (Italy), Martin Horyna of Karlovy Vary Film Festival (Czech Republic), and Arnaud Menindes of Marché du Film or Cannes Film Market of the Cannes International Film Festival (France). The following day, the FDCP had meetings with Raymond Phatanavirangoon of Southeast Asia Fiction Film Lab (SEAFIC), producer Michael Werner, Matthieu Darras of Full Circle Lab, Cintia Gil of Sheffield Doc/Fest (England), Samuel Jamier of New York Asian Film Festival (United States), René Kubášek of Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (Czech Republic), and representatives of International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

On the third day, meetings took place with Lorna Tee of International Film Festival & Awards Macao, Kim Young-woo of DMZ Documentary International Film Festival or DMZ Docs (South Korea), Joost de Vries of APostLab (Amsterdam), and representatives of MK2 Films, Visions du Réel (Switzerland), Busan International Film Festival (South Korea), Toronto Film School (Canada), and Cairo International Film Festival (Egypt). Diño-Seguerra and the FDCP team then attended the Networking Night organized by KOFIC.

On Day 4, Diño-Seguerra and FDCP Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia participated in a discussion held in Gropius Bau with Paolo Bertolin and his team from the Locarno International Film Festival (Switzerland). The Philippine and Swiss teams are cooking something up for the official closing of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema. Meanwhile, Filipino creative producers Bianca Balbuena-Liew, Alemberg Ang, and Armi Rae Cacanindin wasted no time in Berlin by holding a brainstorming session with Diño-Seguerra as they aim to form an organization of Filipino producers.

Synergy of Filipinos in Berlinale

The success of the Philippine delegation in Berlinale 2020 is due to the dedication and commitment of everyone involved. After witnessing how the Filipino delegates participated in meetings and promoted Philippine Cinema, Ambassador Dizon-de Vega hosted a dinner for them to show appreciation for their hard work. The appreciation dinner even became another meeting between the FDCP and Philippine Embassy in Germany as they discussed possible events. Diño-Seguerra thanked the Philippine Embassy in Germany once again for providing support that surely boosted the spirit of cooperation among Filipino delegates.

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, FDCP Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia,

FDCP Assistant Research Officer Angelica Therese Torre, and FDCP Junior Media Officer Jaymar Talabon

FDCP Junior Project Officer Rosano Ricarto, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra,

FDCP Assistant Research Officer Angelica Therese Torre, FDCP Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia,

and FDCP FilmPhilippines Consultant Agathe Vinson

Diño-Seguerra then expressed appreciation for those who accompanied the Philippine contingent to Berlin so that they may further understand the needs of the audio-visual industry. They are Mariecon Aranda-Esguerra and Lucia Facultad from the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) of the Senate of the Philippines and Miguel Alfonso Lima and Bernard Jose Patalinghug, legislative officers of Senator Sonny Angara. 

Diño-Seguerra also thanked the FDCP team members for their tireless efforts in Berlin: OIC-Executive Director Ria Anne Rubia, Chief Administrative and Finance Officer Emelita Alquiza, Agathe Vinson (FilmPhilippines Office), Jaymar Talabon (External Communications Division), Rosano Ricarto (Special Projects Unit), and Angelica Therese Torre (Office of the Executive Director Unit).

The cover photo features FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra and Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa “Tess” Dizon-de Vega at the Philippine Cinema Night.