Position Paper Addressed To The Philippine Gov't

Pinoy Independent Film Makers Group

Brief to: Honorable Jose Isidro Camacho
Secretary - The Department Of Finance

Regarding the
FILM POLICIES FOR INDEPENDENT FILM MAKERS
From Pinoy Independent Film Makers Group

Prepared by Cyril L_______ , National Coordinator,2003
Executive Summary

• Introduction: State of the Filipino Film Industry today


• Opening Statement: Name of the Film makers and vision
• Proposals:
• An executive order to create an Independent Film makers’ commission
• Create an Emerging Filmmakers Fund for production.
• Creation of an Independent Film makers’ Festival
• Closing Statement

INTRODUCTION:
Introduced to Pilipino audiences in 1897, Philippine Cinema though the youngest of all our arts, remains the single major influence on our country’s’ imagination. Today, in reflection of the volatile political situation in our country, the existence of this one hundred year old art form is in jeopardy. In the last three years alone, annual output of local films has steadily plunged from an average of 130 movies to 89 movies. Along with the increasing paucity of quality made films are these factors:

• Escalating costs of film production, from the films used to the processing is all imported.
• Exorbitant taxes -- Among such taxes are the amusement tax, culture tax, flood tax, and tax on raw materials.
• Film piracy -- high-tech film pirates deprive legitimate producers of potential income. Piracy forms include unauthorized airing, exhibition, and distribution of films in CAT-TV networks, video theaters, buses, hotels, restaurants, ships, etc., and video reproduction and retail establishments.

This is the present situation in the local film industry with regards to the major production companies and is much bleaker for the Independent Film producers.

OPENING STATEMENT:
We, the Pinoy Indie Filmmakers Group in consonance with the December 30 movement seek to support and engage President Arroyos’ reform agenda. Our vision and belief is that the answers to revitalizing the Philippine film industry is can be realized in its ability create films that show Philippine realities in complex and textured stories, and to developing world class Filipino talents.

Sadly, in today’s movies three formulaic story trends pre-dominate: sex & action oriented; teenyboppers love stories and scary thrillers. Because these films are consistently devoid of Filipino traditions, culture and values, made purely for profit, box office receipts continue to drop. Yet we know that Filipino viewers will pay to watch local movies even if they are not technologically sophisticated as long as they are speak of Pilipino voices. Examples of Filipino block busters are: Tanging Yaman, American Adobo, Rizal and Muro Ami, all were well patronized. Yet to compare, with the grosses of Hollywood movies that earn as much a 100 million pesos during a run here and that of local big production houses which usually gross 25 to 40 million to be considered blockbusters, you can see that the Filipino viewers needs are largely ignored and untapped.

We submit that Philippine independent film makers can revitalize the industry given opportunities and vital support by the Philippine government. To cite two recent examples of Independent film makers:

• Tikoy Aguiluz’s, "Rizal Sa Dapitan" (Rizal in Dapitan, 1996), is an independently produced guerilla-style for a miniscule sum. The film focuses on a single episode of Rizal’s life, his four-year exile to Dapitan. It swept the 1996 Manila film festivals, went on to several international festivals, and won Best Picture and Best Actor in the 1998 Brussels International Film Festival.


• On the 23rd of March, a Filipino American made history in the United States. Too Much Sleep-an indie feature by David Maquiling, a magna cum laude graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts-became the first film made by a Filipino American to receive national distribution in the US. The product is a debut effort playing in 14 cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Dallas, and San Francisco among others. Dubbed as a subversive slice of suburban America and described as a sly and witty first film, it garnered rave reviews from The New York Times, The Village Voice, New York Post and New York Daily News.

With your offices’ support the industry will generate jobs, produce movies that are successful investments as well as critically acclaimed films and be able export its’ stories to the world.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP OUR SECTOR?We seek the support of the Department of Trade and Industry for the following measures:

• Support for an Executive Order for the creation of an Independent Film Makers Commission. This commission is envisioned to support the objectives of the independent film makers in the following ways but not limited:
• To provide policy and support services and advice to government agencies on the production of films and sound recordings,
• to contribute, financially and otherwise, to the work of film festivals and markets,
• to assist in the promotion of public interest in film as a medium of communication and as an art form and in the development of an informed and critical film audience,
• to provide financial and other assistance to the film and television industry in carrying out the industry's activities and to disseminate information about those activities,
• To work hand in hand with the proposed Emerging Filmmakers Fund to identify and give other assistance for productions. This aside from assistance to persons (including directors, producers, actors, writers and technicians) whose work in the film and television industry merits encouragement.

1. Emerging Filmmakers Fund - In creating this fund we stress the importance of filmmakers maintaining their independence, i.e. retaining copyright and creative control of their work. How selections will be made is critical to the success of the fund. Who will be the decision-makers, advisors and readers and how will they be chosen? Input from the local independent filmmaking community will help answer these questions. We are prepared to put all our experience and expertise to help create this funding agency.
2. A specifically created : Annual Film Festival for Independent Film Producers- This should be a nationwide celebration, which stipulates that these film entries be the only movies shown in theaters in the country for the duration of the festival. These would allow independent film makers’ access to a broader base of viewers, in first class cinemas, to which access is rarely given.

CLOSING STATEMENT:
With the celebration of Philippine Cinemas’ 100 years of existence as an art, comes the pressing obligation to bridge the gap between entertaining and reflecting Philippine consciousness. While prognosis on the Film industry’s state is of deep concern, we know with this present administration’s commitment to the reform agenda, our industry will be re-energized. We, the independent film makers group are dedicated to assisting in the establishment of these measures in response to President Arroyos’ call to mount an effective reform agenda for the country.


Note: Secretary Isidro Camacho granted their petition.