QCinema Industry 2025 opens strong with Documentary Panels and Roundtables, inaugurates QC Film Market

Quezon City, Philippines—Cementing cultural activity onto the screen, documentary films get the spotlight during QCinema Industry’s first day this November 18. 

Filipino documentaries at the forefront of change 

QCinema Industry’s Managing Director, Liza Diño kickstarts the film week by calling the industry to celebrate documentaries that build the future. QCinema Film Foundation President Manet Dayrit and FilDocs President Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala picked up Diño’s sentiments, dwelling on the importance of docu-stories in chronicling the Filipino experience at a time of heightened political turmoil and human injustices.

A documentary is a snapshot of a reality. Howie Severino highlights the power of the documentary alongside fellow broadcast journalists Atom Araullo and Jeff Canoy, with filmmakers Bryan Brazil and Ditsi Carolino. All having documentary experiences under their belt, the group found common ground in the trials of producing long-form content that sticks with the audience. On this note, Canoy iterates a reminder for the screen’s storytellers: “We cannot change the world, but we can change a person’s worldview to keep the conversation going”. The talk came to a peak when an audience member raised the concern of dealing with a documentarist’s guilt of carrying on with their life after closely studying the disquieting realities of their subjects. To which the panel advises to relieve oneself of that guilt since documentation is the filmmaker’s primary service to the matter at hand. Severino believes that “...one day there will be a reckoning (...) and the record [of that] evidence will be important”. 

Following the insightful dialogue amongst the nation’s truthtellers, DAKILA’s Co-founder Leni Velasco introduces the striking lineup of speakers. Narrative director and strategist Marlon Rivera prompts the succeeding segment on potent storytelling. He breaks down how dehumanizing the subjects and sticking to old, binary perspectives causes hindrances in storytelling. Representation is not enough; there must be a push to change narratives. Building on this idea, Thara Brown detailed her experiences as an impact producer that assists in extending the outreach of a film by creating simple acts for audience participation. Through her case studies, the listeners learned how using campaigns can bring the message to the masses. Similarly, Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala utilized her network through conferences and coalitions to bring her environmental documentary Delikado (2022) to a wider audience. She ends with a memorable analogy of docu-making to marriage. Once the researcher is committed to the topic, there is a responsibility to protect and care for the participants as an act of service. 

What is so unique about the funding of a docu-film? FilDocs co-founder Monster Jimenez moderates a fruitful chat with film producer Armi Rae Cacanindin to talk about documentary funding and distribution with Meninaputri Wismurti of 100% Manusia Film Festival and Young-woo Kim of Sheffield DocFest. They assisted young filmmakers navigate the waves of effectively disseminating their projects in today’s digital age, providing the inside scoop of what they seek in selecting films for commission. Although there are endless possibilities with international stakeholders, Cacanindin does not turn away from local public funds. They reassure that with enough research and a strong proposal, those ideas can reach the big screen. 

While local social issues continue to balloon, these recordings of social realities draw fresh attention to the stories that matter. Honest documentation is essential in a nation that disempowers the poor and protects the powerful. As the tales of the scorned reach public consciousness, the corrupt circle of the elite begins to crumble at the uncovering of the truth. 

Grand opening of the QC Film Market [QCFM]

The QCinema Industry officially launched its first Quezon City Film Market at Novotel - Monet where film and media personalities sparked collaborations and explored creative possibilities. Today marked the first of the four-day market full of imminent opportunities among the industry’s greatest minds. Dedicated to bringing forth initiatives that boost Philippine cinema into the global sphere, the market featured booths of film agencies and collaboratives, including ABS-CBN Studios, CMB Film Services, Inc., Philippine Independent Producers Guild (PIPG), and Fire and Ice Media. The networking area opened its doors to the public as they gave a positive welcome to all those interested in forming partnerships to secure funding for the films they wish to get off the ground. 

For more information on the QCinema Industry 2025, please reach out to us at [email protected].