QCinema Industry 2025 commemorates filmmakers through jam-packed panels

The first day of the Asian Next Wave Film Forum was opened by Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP)’s Paolo Villaluna and Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC)’s Liza Diño with a fireside keynote about recognizing all the underappreciated workers of a film team and how they can support them through training and programs. Through their strengthening partnerships with film labs and facilities, they are able to provide a strong skeletal framework for the unsung heroes of film. The November 22 Film Forum, held at Ibis Styles Bardot and Napoli, is lined up with a series of sessions that concentrate on stripping the Western gaze and uplifting local stories.

 

Professionalizing the Film Workforce

Following the talk is an insightful panel on the local guilds supporting the laborers of the industry. Moderated by Manet Dayrit of Central Digital Lab, she joins Paolo Villaluna of Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Patti Lapus of Philippine Independent Producers Guild, Giancarlo Abrahan of the Filipino Screenwriters Guild, Benjamin Padero of Production Designers Circle of the Philippines, and Evangeline Torcino of Philippine Talents Guild, Inc.. Together, they discuss the strengthening of guilds to make it easier for the workers to fight for their right to ample pay and credit visibility. Although the Eddie Garcia Law has been passed, many boundaries are still crossed; they believe a behavioral change must happen for the implementation of newer, well-rounded laws.

 

Hyperlocal Voices, Global Impact

Wanggo Gallaga defines what it means to be a hyperlocal artist with fellow filmmakers Glenn Barit, Rodiell Veloso, Kristine de Leon, and Keith Deligro. In this discussion, they share the struggles and support systems that help amplify the important voices of regional movies by believing that the more local it is, the more global it gets. Noticing a global shift towards what is authentic, the group lives to make smaller communities believe in the importance of their work by veering away from western validation and turning inward to their roots where they can find allure within their own stories. Thus, bringing an honest attempt to connect with a wider audience. 

 

Southeast Asian Genre Directors

What does it mean to be a genre director? Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN)’s Thomas Nam explores this question with horror and fantasy directors whose stylistic choices stretch the possibilities of their specialized genre. Wi Ding Ho, Dodo Dayao, and Pedring Lopez bring their own issues to light from censorship to artificial intelligence. As AI starts to dominate over CGI, they remind the audience to use it as an assistive tool, but avoid complete reliance on the technology. While they continue worldbuilding beyond their imagination, they refuse to have their ideas robbed and their human team replaced. 

 

Financing Futures: Co-Productions & Treaties

Professional film critic Philbert Dy centers on the Philippines-France Co-Production Treaty and other partnership structures among a producer guest list including Franck Priot, Armi Cacanindin, Daniel Tenne, Sophia Sim, and Michael J. Werner. They provided the audience with a cheat sheet of how to secure foreign funding for their films. Directors must stand on integrity and keep their intentions clear. When dealing with international financing systems, the panel predicts smooth sailing as long as the film commits to their vision.

 

Beyond Treaties: Financing Asian Co-Productions on Our Own Terms

Fire and Ice Media’s Liza Diño invites masters in co-production around Asia as more filmmakers begin gravitating towards Asian co-production models. Among these revered guests are Mai Hoai Nguyen Tuan Anh, Madonna Tarrayo, Hugo Chung, and Rex Lopez. For the Philippines, it was generally more advised to seek collaboration with fellow Southeast Asian producers before looking to the West. When pitching to possible investors, it’s important to master the country’s ecosystem so they may understand why and how it can gain international success. As much as the industry values the art, it is also equally a business.   

 

Mapping the Asian Film Festival Circuit

Sungho Park of Busan IFF unpacks the role of Asian film festivals as a catalyst for cultural discovery, amplifying the voices of regional communities. Here, it was pointed out how the difficulty in sustaining local films can be attributed to a eurocentric mindset that filmmakers rely on Western validation for success. Contributing to this discussion were Jacob Wong of the HKIFF, Young Woo Kim of BIFAN and the Sheffield DocFest, Sean Chadwell of Blue Chair and Luang Prabang IFF, and Donsaron Kovitvanitcha of the Bangkok IFF. 

 

Building a Home for Asian Films

Asia is home to a smorgasbord of cultures. With such a diverse array of rich traditions, the succeeding panel projects ideas on configuring a robust Asian film collective without depending on the West. Brad Liew unveils a cornucopia of opportunities with QCinema Project Market’s Liza Diño, Creative Economy Agency’s Nattapon Suwanpayom, and HKIFF Industry’s Jacob Wong. When the continent’s customs bear many intersections, bridging uniqueness on screen using these similarities can flourish a shared Asian identity.

 

Roundtable: QPM SEA Producers

Producers across Southeast Asia meet at the forum, intending to combine industry resources for maximum cultural impact at a time of heightened Western idolization. Patti Lapus moderates this colorful conversation featuring Thailand’s Awat Ratanapintha and Napakarn Boontarig, Cambodia’s Laura Mam, Vietnam’s Thy Trang, Myanmar’s Pyae Zaw Phyo, and Indonesia’s Lies Supangkat. There are rarely any opportunities to meet and grow accustomed with sister ASEAN countries, so it’s vital to take every chance they can get to foster human connection with one another. It is through this compassionate trust that broadens horizons for the region.

 

Case Study: Magellan

A lengthy, fruitful dialogue takes place when FUSEE Founder Wilfredo Manalang and Black Cap Pictures’ Paul Soriano dissect Lav Diaz’s latest feature Magellan. An exceptional collaboration among three countries, the film fashions Ferdinand Magellan through unique cultural perspectives while also honoring the Philippines. Anatomizing the movie, the crowd learns how the director’s understanding of the subject is siphoned into a work of art.