Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the holding of a festival promoting new Philippine quality genre films and a free physical and online screening of classic Filipino movies in September of every year.
Estrada, who is also an actor and film producer, said passage of Senate Bill No. 2250, or the proposed “Buwan ng Pelikulang Pilipino Act,” will help elevate and boost the promotion of locally produced movies.
“During this special period of celebration, which shall be known as ‘Buwan ng Pelikulang Pilipino,’ we aim to promote and revive the local film industry, encourage its growth and expansion as one of the dynamic segments of the creative economy, and further elevate the standards and quality of Filipino films at par with the world’s best,” Estrada said in the explanatory note of the bill.
The bill, likewise, aims to promote the growth and conservation of the culture and legacy of Filipino cinema and showcase Filipino talents among audiences across the country and overseas, the senator stressed.
Under the measure, Estrada mandates the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to be the lead agency that will organize a film festival, to be called “Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.”
The one-week festival will feature exclusive screening of local films in all regular cinemas nationwide and in streaming websites or platforms.
The bill also provides free screenings of classic Filipino films, and internationally acclaimed short or feature-length movies in theatrical and other similar venues operated by the government, including the FDCP, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
SB No. 2250 also also requires the FDCP to undertake film promotion and education activities and similar learning opportunities in various film-related disciplines and sectors such as directing, scriptwriting, editing, musical scoring, etc.
The bill also proposes to declare the month of September as Philippine Film Industry Month in recognition of the importance and appreciation of the film industry which reflects social realities and fosters a sense of nationhood.
