News and Updates

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES (16 NOVEMBER 2024) — The second edition of the QCinema Project Market (QPM), the flagship industry initiative of the QCinema International Film Festival, concluded with a triumphant announcement of its award-winning film projects. An impressive PHP 26 million in grants and co-production support was distributed among the winners. Held at the iBis Styles Hotel in Quezon City, this milestone event coincided with the 2024 edition of the festival and marked another leap forward in QCinema’s commitment to nurturing world cinema. 

Now in its twelfth year, the QCinema International Film Festival has further cemented its reputation as more than just a premier showcase for outstanding Filipino and international cinema. This year’s QCinema Project Market (QPM) reinforced its pivotal role as a driving force in bridging filmmakers with essential production partnerships and funding opportunities.

The market unfolded over an intensive two-day event from November 13-14, 2024 at the Novotel Hotel, also in Quezon City, designed to foster networking and pitch sessions for 20 carefully chosen feature-length fiction projects from across Southeast Asia. Representatives of these projects participated in focused, one-on-one meetings with prominent producers and influential figures from both local and international production and post-production companies, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and support.

Three standout Filipino projects received the prestigious QCinema Project Market Philippine Co-Production Grant, each valued at PHP 2,000,000 (USD 34,000). These were “Anak Alon” (Daughters of the Sea) directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar, “Bato Bato Sa Langit, Ang Tamaan Magagalit” (Heaven Help Us) directed by Eve Baswel, and “Inahing Baka” (Mother Maybe) directed by Sonny Calvento.

The QCinema Project Market – Southeast Asia Co-Production Grant, worth PHP 1,000,000 (USD 17,000), was awarded to Myanmar-Indonesia co-production “The Beer Girl in Yangon” by director Sein Lyan Tun. Additionally, co-production grants of PHP 750,000 (USD 12,000) each were presented to Singapore’s “Other People’s Dreams” by director Daniel Hui and Malaysia’s “The Passport” by director Ananth Subramaniam.

To advance the QCinema Project Market’s mission of promoting the creation of innovative, globally impactful films and fostering collaboration across the Southeast Asian film industry, special awards were provided by various industry partners. These included valuable development and post-production grants, further empowering filmmakers to bring their visions to life.

The CMB Discovery Award granted equipment rental support to multiple standout projects, showcasing its commitment to nurturing promising filmmaking talent. Five selected projects—“Lihim na Luha” (Secret Cries) by Eileen Cabiling, “Please Bear With Me” by Gabriela Serrano, “Golden” by JP Habac, “Angel De Dios” by Joel Ruiz, and “Molder” by Kenneth Dagatan—each received PHP 1,000,000 (USD 17,000) in support.

Additionally, CMB extended the same grant, valued at PHP 500,000 (USD 13,500), to eight other Filipino projects, further bolstering their development. These recipients included “My Neighbor The Gangster” by Mario Cornejo, “The Returning” by Atsuko Hirayanagi, “Bato Bato Sa Langit, Ang Tamaan Magagalit” (Heaven Help Us) by Eve Baswel, “Baradero” (A Ship of Fools) by Keith Deligero, “Ewa” by Keith Sicat, “Anak Alon” (Daughters of the Sea) by Martika Ramirez Escobar, “Hum” by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, and “Inahing Baka” (Mother Maybe) by Sonny Calvento.

"Angel De Dios" was honored with the prestigious Mocha Chai Award, which comes with a comprehensive post-production services package worth USD 50,000.

The Kongchak Studio Award was presented to “Molder,” granting the project sound post-production services worth up to USD 10,000, to be completed at Kongchak’s studios in Cambodia. Additionally, Central Digital Lab awarded two color correction grants, each valued at USD 10,000, to the projects “The Returning” and “My Neighbor The Gangster.”

The Barebones Award, a color correction grant valued at up to USD 14,000 each, was presented to four exceptional projects. Among the recipients were the Filipino films “Golden” and “Hum,” alongside two standout Southeast Asian projects: “Future Laobans” by director Maung Sun and “I’ll Smile in September” by director Aakash Chhabra. In addition, Barebones and Terminal 6 teamed up to present the T6xBB Award to “The Beer Girl in Yangon,” offering the project the same post-production services valued at approximately USD 14,000.

Finally, Nathan Studios awarded a development grant of PHP 250,000 to the project “Lihim na Luha” (Secret Cries) while the Taiwan Creative Content Agency presented the TAICCA Award—a USD 5,000 cash prize—to “Ewa,” the sole animation film in the slate.

"We are thrilled to have successfully wrapped up the second edition of QPM with a remarkable slate of projects, backed by the incredible support of our partners, funders, and collaborators. This achievement reaffirms our belief that the project market will continue to be a vital platform for fostering cross-border collaborations and co-production opportunities among Filipino, Southeast Asian, and international filmmakers. We’re excited for what’s to come!" shared Liza Dino-Seguerra, QCinema Project Market Managing Director.

The finalists were chosen from 70 film submissions from across the Southeast Asian region. The networking event is designed to support films in the development stage and encourage cross-border collaborations and co-production opportunities among Filipino, Southeast Asian, and international filmmakers, in line with the QCinema International Film Festival’s commitment to offering a platform for bold and creative voices in cinema. 

2024 QCINEMA PROJECT MARKET WINNERS LIST

QPM PHILIPPINES CO-PRODUCTION GRANT (PHP2,000,000)

“Daughters of the Sea” (Anak Alon)

“Heaven Help Us” (Bato Bato Sa Langit Ang Tamaan Magagalit)

“Mother Maybe” (Inahing Baka)

QPM SOUTHEAST ASIAN CO-PRODUCTION PRIZE (PHP1,000,000 & PHP750,000)

“The Beer Girl in Yangon” (Myanmar, Indonesia)

“Other People’s Dreams” (Singapore)

“The Passport” (Malaysia)

MOCHA CHAI AWARD (VALUED UP TO USD50,000)

“Angel De Dios” (Philippines)

CMB DISCOVERY AWARD - PHP 1,000,000 EACH 

“Lihim na Luha” (Philippines)

“Please Bear With Me” (Philippines)

“Golden” (Philippines)

“Angel de Dios” (Philippines)

“Molder” (Philippines)

CMB DISCOVERY AWARD - PHP 500,000 EACH

"My Neighbor The Gangster" (Philippines)

"The Returning" (Philippines)

“Heaven Help Us” (Bato Bato Sa Langit Ang Tamaan Magagalit) (Philippines)

"Baradero” (A Ship of Fools) (Philippines)

"Ewa" (Philippines)

"Anak Alon” (Daughters of the Sea) (Philippines)

"Hum" (Philippines)

"Mother Maybe” (Inahing Baka) (Philippines)

KONGCHAK STUDIO AWARD (VALUED UP TO USD 10,000)

“Molder” (Philippines)

CENTRAL DIGITAL LAB AWARD (VALUED UP TO USD 10,000)

“The Returning” (Philippines)

“My Neighbor The Gangster” (Philippines)

BAREBONES AWARD (VALUED UP TO USD 14,000)

“Golden” (Philippines)

“Hum” (Philippines)

“Future Laobans” (Myanmar)

“I’ll Smile in September” (Singapore, India)

T6XBB AWARD (VALUED UP TO USD 14,000)

“The Beer Girl in Yangon” (Myanmar, Indonesia)

TAICCA AWARD (USD 5,000)

“Ewa” (Philippines)

NATHAN STUDIOS DEVELOPMENT GRANT (PHP 250,000)

“Lihim na Luha” (Secret Cries)

QCinema Project Market (QPM), organised by Quezon City Film Commission, has selected 20 projects for the second edition of the event, which is taking place during QCinema International Film Festival in Metro Manila, Philippines.

The curated selection of mid to advanced-development projects includes seven from Southeast Asian filmmakers and producers, as well as 13 projects from the Philippines. QPM aims to provide a platform for the selected projects to connect with international partners and potential financiers, and will also hand out grants and prizes valued at around $300,000.

“QPM plays a crucial role in advancing the regional film landscape by nurturing globally resonant films that elevate the festival experience,” said the organisers in a statement. “The event hosts one-on-one meetings, project presentations and networking events to facilitate connections and collaborations. Selected projects benefit from financial support, including around $300,000 in grants and prizes, as well as from the wealth of experience and resources offered by industry partners.”

Projects selected for last year’s QPM include Don’t Cry Butterfly, which is premiering in Venice Critics Week; Tale Of The Land, which is playing in Busan’s New Currents competition; and two projects that are currently in post-production – Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana and Woo Ming Jin’s Fox King. In addition, Le Bao’s The Sea Is Calm Tonight is scheduled to start shooting in November. 

QPM is scheduled to take place November 14-16, while the 12th edition of the QCinema festival runs November 11-17. 

SOUTHEAST ASIAN PROJECTS:

The Beer Girl In Yangon (Myanmar, Indonesia)
Dir: Sein Lyan Tun
Prod: Yulia Evina Bhara
Logline: When her father is arrested for political activism, Lily has to work in the beer station in Yangon, where she falls in love with a karaoke singer and a mysterious older man while dealing with her swinging menstruation hallucination mood.

Future Laobans (Myanmar)
Dir: Maung Sun
Prod: Emmanuel Angeles
Logline: In the jade mining town of Hpakant, three teenagers with different backgrounds, Aung, Sun, and Nyi, embark on a risky journey to smuggle a valuable jade stone to China, driven by their dreams of becoming millionaires overnight.

I’ll Smile In September (Singapore, India)
Dir: Aakash Chhabra
Prod: Fran Borgia
Logline: After getting separated from the love of his life and losing his front teeth in a brutal altercation which ensues after it, a young brass band player in Old Delhi attempts to move on in life by finding his smile back.

To Leave, To Stay (Cambodia)
Dir: Danech San
Prod: Daniel Mattes
Logline: Bored of her island life, Mera travels with her friend Bopha to visit a soldier she met online. Weeks later, Mera goes missing. Bopha’s search begins.

Other People’s Dreams (Singapore)
Dir: Daniel Hui
Prods: Tan Si En, Joel Neo
Logline: Two runaway souls escaping a dark past meet in the chaos of Singapore. They find a way to survive by stealing, unseen from the public, melding themselves with the rhythms of the dreaming city.

The Passport (Malaysia)
Dir: Ananth Subramaniam
Prod: Choo Mun Bel
Logline: Passport chronicles the life of a working-class Indian family from the perspective of Kalki, a Punk Rocker who confronts the impact of cultural expectations in and out of home.

Picturehouse (Vietnam)
Dir: Minh-Nghiem Nguyen-Vo
Prod: Johann Chapelan
Logline: In 1960s Vietnam, a family-run movie house becomes a haven for an eight-year-old boy who sees his world being undone by war.

FILIPINO PROJECTS:

Angel De Dios
Dir: Joel Ruiz
Prod: Madonna Tarrayo
Logline: After a heist goes terribly wrong, a bank robber inadvertently ends up with a three-month-old baby as he escapes the scene. An unexpected relationship develops between the two as danger follows their every move.

Daughters Of The Sea (Anak Alon)
Dir: Martika Ramirez Escobar
Prod: Rajiv Idnani
Logline: Three lives intertwine like kindred beings from the same soil. Lucia, a curious tour guide who unknowingly meets her father for the first time, lives vicariously through two people—a pet shop owner who tries to keep a dying mermaid alive and a fish vendor whose long-missing husband reappears from nowhere.

Eve (Ewa)
Dir: Keith Sicat
Prod: Sari Dalena
Logline: In a future of intergalactic migrant workers, a scientist marooned on a hostile alien world struggles to reconnect with her child who is light years away.

Golden
Dir: JP Habac
Prods: Omar Sortijas, Catsi Catalan
Logline: In order to raise funds for a house in Manila, a group of homeless gay seniors reunite and revive their former drag queen performances.

Heaven Help Us (Bato Bato Sa Langit Ang Tamaan Magagalit)
Dir: Eve Baswel
Prod: John Torres, Jules Katanyag
Logline: 12 hours before the collapse of the Manila Film Center in 1981, we follow the lives of the construction workers working tirelessly to complete the impossible deadline of finishing the building in less than two weeks before its opening.

Hum
Dir: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan
Prods: Alemberg Ang, Hannah Schierbeek
Logline: An earthquake unravels the lives of two runaway land defenders turned rodeo stars haunted by their tragic past.

Molder
Dir: Kenneth Dagatan
Prods: Bradley Liew, Junxiang Huang
Logline: Set in a sleepy, rainy town in Southern Italy, Cesar, a Filipino immigrant, lives with his local Italian wife. When they meet a mysterious young Filipino man who places a curse on them, their lives turn into a nightmare of physical decay.

Mother Maybe (Inahing Baka)
Dir: Sonny Calvento
Prods: Arden Rod Condez, Sheron Dayoc
Logline: A son is reunited with his mother in Tokyo as he joins a high-stakes Japanese game show, but his joy turns to horror as he discovers that at night, his mother becomes different.

My Neighbor The Gangster
Dir: Mario Cornejo
Prods: Monster Jimenez, Jon Romulo
Logline: A young boy’s life is changed when a gangster moves his mistress and love child next door to the boy’s seaside residence.

Please Bear With Me
Dir: Gabriela Serrano
Prods: Gale Osorio, Keith Deligero
Logline: In an alternate Philippines where people have lost the ability to dream, a single mother Elenita works as a call center agent who gets paid in “dream-time”. Through these transient dreams, she relives her glory days as a rising pop star. As Elenita drifts deeper into her shimmering fantasies, her artist daughter embarks on a career that inexplicably begins to mirror her mother’s past.

The Returning
Dir: Atsuko Hirayanagi
Prods: Will Manalang, Eiko Mizuno Gray
Logline: A homeless Japanese man in Manila joins an environmental charity offering a chance to rebuild his life by planting trees in deforested areas of the Philippines, only to discover that it is a sinister cult serving an ancient forest spirit.

Secret Cries (Lihim Na Luha)
Dir: Eileen Cabiling
Prods: Darlene Malimas, Jericho Rosales
Logline: Manuel, addicted to crystal meth, is forced into rehab, where he confronts his darkest secret: he killed his beloved wife, an aswang – a mythical Filipino vampire – to save their newborn daughter. Now, with his daughter’s 13th birthday approaching, he fears whether she will reveal a human heart or a vampire’s curse.

A Ship Of Fools (Baradero)
Dir: Keith Deligero
Prod: Gale Osorio
Logline: Baradero is a psychological period drama set in a Philippines that is at the brink of World War II. It explores how two troubled men, Kilum and Enrico, torn between different moments in history, are strangely connected by the Arko Niño, a ship of fools that bears witness to the trauma of history and its enduring impact on the present.

Reference: QCinema Project Market 2024: Full Line-Up - Streamlined (streamlinedglobal.com)

The Philippines‘ Quezon City Film Commission and QCinema have revealed the lineup for the second edition of the QCinema Project Market (QPM).

Twenty projects were selected from 63 submissions across the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The market aims to connect filmmakers with international partners and offers approximately $300,000 in grants and prizes.

Notable projects from last year’s QPM have made significant progress. Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiniana” and Woo Ming Jin’s “Fox King” are in post-production, while Duong Dieu Linh’s “Don’t Cry Butterfly” is world premiering at Venice Critics’ Week.

Author: Naman Ramachandran
Reference: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/philippines-qcinema-2024-projects-1236127478/