Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has pressed the passage of a measure that aims to grant cash incentives of up to P1 million to film makers, literary writers and other performers in the creative sector who will bag major awards in international competitions.
Yamsuan said House Bill (HB) 1934 provides for this P1 million cash grant to artists of the creative sector who have garnered the highest award in film festivals, exhibitions and other notable and prestigious contests.
A P500,000 cash incentive is also at stake under the bill for artists who were given special recognition in similar international competitions, Yamsuan said.
“The grant of these incentives not only shows our gratitude for the fame and honor that they have brought to our country, but also aims to motivate them and other artistic creators to continue honing their craft,” said Yamsuan, who co-authored HB 1934.
He expressed the hope that exhibitions promoting Filipino films, like this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, could serve as venues for thought-provoking artistic creations worthy of being presented as competition entries in international award-giving bodies.
“Our creative industry is brimming with talent. But during these difficult times, it faces many challenges that discourage creators to produce works that truly reflect their artistic vision. Recognizing the international acclaim they have received through incentives could help reinvigorate the creative industry and promote its growth,” Yamsuan added.
Yamsuan, a strong advocate of improving the welfare of artistic creators, said the measure complements the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act enacted two years ago. This law aims to accelerate the development of the creative industry and make it globally competitive by providing it institutionalized support from the government.
“Notable and prestigious competitions” cited under HB 1934 refer “to those which have given recognition and awards to artistic works for the last five years and are well-known for their international profile, audience size, and the quality and breadth of their competition, festival or exhibition.”
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) shall determine these “notable and prestigious competitions” which include, but are not limited to film festivals such as the Festival de Cannes and the Sundance Film Festival, to name a few.
Under the bill, if there is more than one winner of a particular award, the cash grant shall be equally divided among them.
Every year, Filipino artistry shines on the international stage, Yamsuan noted.
In September this year, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) featured the Lino Brocka classic “Bona,” headlined by the National Artist and multi-awarded actress Nora Aunor. The 1980 film was described by TIFF as a “major rediscovery and a true must-see.”
In 2023, Ma-an L Asuncion-Dagñalan’s directorial debut Blue Room won the Best Foreign Film Award at the 19th LA Femme International Film Festival held in Los Angeles, California, while Amon Banwa sa Lawud (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons) directed by Anton Juan received the Best International Feature Film award at the 2023 Louth International Film Festival in Ireland.
Leonor Will Never Die by Martika Escobar bagged the World Cinema Dramatic Competition Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022. In 2021, actor John Arcilla was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 78th Venice International Film Festival for his work on Erik Matti’s On the Job: The Missing 8.
Under HB 1934, the amount necessary to implement the measure shall be charged against the National Endowment for Culture and the Arts established under Section 50 of Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
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