Film Academy of the Philippines Builds Global Ties at Cannes
By: Dave Leprozo, Jr., with reports from FAP
CANNES, France — The Film Academy of the Philippines joined the Philippine delegation to the 79th Festival de Cannes and the Marché du Film, marking its first major international engagement as a newly established government agency.
Led by Director‑General Paolo Villaluna, the Academy met with international film institutes, training partners, and guilds to strengthen ties and expand opportunities for Filipino film workers. The meetings supported the Academy’s four mandates—guild support, worker training, awards and honors, and worker protection—and its broader goal of aligning Philippine film practices with global standards.
“This is our first full year operating in our new form as a government agency, and the trip to Cannes is a necessary first introduction to the wider global film community,” Villaluna said. “We hope to bring the world’s resources and expertise back home to benefit our workers and industry.”
Strengthening International Partnerships
Villaluna and Kristine Kintana, head of the Academy’s Film Awards and Events Division, met with Tom Swayne of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to discuss the Oscars submission process and long‑term capacity building for Philippine films in major awards circuits.
“Filipino films can hold their own in major awards races, and our job is to make sure they have the government’s support to do it,” Kintana said.
The Academy also met with Richard Lorber, chairman and CEO of Kino Lorber, to discuss the North American distribution of Filipiñana, directed by Rafael Manuel, which won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Training and Regional Collaboration
Talks with the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) of France, the British Film Institute, and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority focused on training and public funding models. The Academy also explored collaboration with Indonesia’s Kementerian Kebudayaan on a Southeast Asia‑wide database of film and audio‑visual workers.
“We’re excited about Indonesia’s interest in working closely with us,” said Celeste Joven, Academy chief of staff. “We talked about the possibility of a regional professional database—a project pioneered in the Philippines which we’re happy to share.”
The Academy met with Tatino Film Lab, Fest Film Lab, and the Location Managers Guild International to discuss professional development for Filipino crews, stunt performers, and location managers.
“Training is something Filipino film workers value, and one of the Academy’s jobs is to give them more of it,” said Dan Morales, head of the Film Worker Training and Research Division.
Promoting Filipino Cinema Abroad
The Academy co‑hosted a mixer with QCinema International Film Festival at L’Atrium in Cannes, bringing together Filipino filmmakers and international colleagues. The team also attended networking events hosted by Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and Tatino Films, observing how other countries promote their film industries on the global stage.
Returning to Manila, the Academy brings home new partnerships and insights to strengthen support for Filipino film workers and guilds.
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About the Film Academy of the Philippines
The Film Academy of the Philippines is a government agency mandated to support, protect, professionalize, and recognize the country’s film and audio‑visual workers. Its programs include guild recognition, training, legal aid through Sine‑Sandigan and Sine‑Legal, implementation of the Eddie Garcia Law, the Luna Awards, and Philippine submissions to the Oscars.
Media Contact Pocholo Goitia Head of Public Information and Communications [email protected]
Mike Ariel Plaza Deputy Head of Public Information and Communications [email protected]
