Press Release
March 9, 2019

Sen. Bam: Provide grants to award-winning Filipino filmmakers

Filmmakers who have received recognition in notable international film competitions and festivals should be given incentives by the government in the form of grants.

Sen. Bam Aquino said this when he filed Senate Bill No. 918, proposing as much as P5 million as grant to award-winning film producers.

"Filmmaking is a valuable part of our artistic landscape and is one way that we can showcase Filipino talent to audiences at home and around the world," he said.

The bill, Aquino said, not only seeks to reward talented Filipino filmmakers and artists who have received awards abroad but also encourages further creation of Filipino films under the creative control of award-winning filmmakers and artists.

It is the policy of the government to promote and support the development and growth of the Filipino film industry and the public appreciation of the Philippine cinema, the senator said in filing the proposed "World-Class Filmmakers' Grant Act."

Under the measure, the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCAA) will oversee the implementation of the bill and provide for the P5 million grant to the producer of a Filipino film awarded best film or its equivalent in an international film competition or festival and P1 million for those who were awarded for their technical excellence in various aspects of filmmaking.

An automatic grading of "A" by the Cinema Evaluation Board will be given to Filipino films awarded best film or its equivalent or for its technical excellence.

As such, the film producer will be entitled to the benefits under RA 9167 which provides for a 100 percent amusement tax rebates.

Aquino underscored though that 30 percent of the amusement tax rebates accrued by the producer shall be distributed to film cast and crew members who received awards as well.

The senator proposed an initial appropriation of P50 million to the NCCA for the implementation of the measure and appropriations for the succeeding years will be provided through the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

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