BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Film Festival Council (BFFC) announced yesterday the 10 finalists of the Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) slated in September this year.
These are: Chelsea Tasic (“A Flower A Day”), Charlene Mae Tupas (“Aninaw”), Juan Carlo Miguel Araullo (“Blind Date”), Georgia Mari Elardo (“Chicken Inasal”), Reginald Amador Zack Verzosa (“Glub”), Mary Pauline O. Santos (“Laragway sa Karon”), Banjo Hinolan (“Manokan Country”), Willbryan Garcia (“Puli Na, Diche Lesly”), Vincent Joseph Entuna (“Sa Pwesto ni Pistong”), and Oscar Villanueva (“The Mansion”).
In a press conference yesterday at the Bacolod City Government Center, Festival Director Seymour Sanchez said the finalists were chosen after careful deliberation and review of the 33 entries by the selection committee composed of talented filmmakers.
Each finalist will receive a grant of P300,000, he said.
It was also announced that the running time of each film should range from 15 to 20 minutes.
The filming process will begin this month until August. The films will be shown in partner cinemas such as SM and Ayala Malls cinemas.
The BFFC added that they are eyeing to submit the entries to various film festivals with the permission of the finalists.
The BFFC was created under City Ordinance (CO) No. 1061, or the BFF ordinance, which was approved on February 14, 2024. It aims to promote the development of the local film industry, provide a venue for showcasing artistic talents and enhance cultural appreciation.
The ordinance mandates the creation of a council that will organize and oversee the BFF and ensure the smooth implementation of the ordinance.
It also stated that the city aims to further develop the film production scene in Bacolod City by creating a venue where Bacolod/Negros produced films are shown in major cinemas in the city.
The funding, meanwhile, for the implementation of the ordinance will be in the amount of P6 million to be taken from the general fund or any available funds of the city.
Further, all proceeds of the film festival will be subject to 100 percent tax exemption as provided in Section 192 of the Local Government Code of 1991, or the Authority to Grant Tax Exemption Privileges./PN
