On November 21, award-winning actress Dolly De Leon cited the struggle of Philippine Films breaking into the Academy Awards.
At the media event by her new management team, CreaZion Studios, which LionhearTV covered, De Leon clarified the Philippines’ capability of putting out good films worthy of praise.
“Ang unang-una kasi problema sa Pilipinas ‘yung funding, kasi to be nominated sa Oscars doesn’t just mean that you have to put out good work– we are capable of [putting out] good work. Iti Mapukpukaw is testament to that. But the challenge is the funding–you need a lot of money for people to watch.”
She then detailed the campaign process behind the Academy Awards, including holding screenings and hosting events.
“Maybe you– ewan ko kung aware kayo, pero ang Oscar Campaign, when you say it’s a campaign, you don’t just go around and say, ‘Vote for us.’ You go around and say, ‘Please watch our film.’ So, you hold screenings; you reserve theaters; and then you give people tickets so [that] they can watch the film for free; you host dinners; you host soirees; you host a lot of events, and it costs a lot–a lot of money.”
She acknowledged that Iti Mapukpukaw needs more help from different branches of the government for their bid for the Oscars.
“So ‘yun ang pinaka-challenge natin. Because most of what– for example, Iti Mapukpukaw, independent film ‘yun eh. So independent producers din. So ‘yun din ‘yung challenge din talaga, ‘yung funding from the government. Although tumutulong naman ang FDCP, it’s still not enough what they help.
“So we need more help from more branches of the government. Not just the FDCP, ‘yung iba’t iba pang mga arts department of the government.”
At the time of the interview, De Leon revealed that the film needed at least 6 million pesos in funding by mid-December, of which they only collected half.
“Right now, it’s really a big challenge for us. It kind of breaks my heart na hindi pa rin maka-take off ‘yung campaign namin because it really costs a lot of money. And so far, kalahati pa lang ang nare-raise namin na pera.
“We need at least P6 million. Kasi ang fee pa lamang ng PR person is US$20,000. Kasi yung PR sila lahat ang gumagawa ng trabaho. Sila ang humahawak ng schedule ng interview, screenings, booking restaurant.
“So malaking pera talaga ang kailangan. Balita ko marami na rin ang tumutulong. We are doing a lot of activities to make sure it takes off. It has to happen soon because by the middle of December, sarado na ang voting. I believe the movie needs to be seen by many people.”
De Leon starred in the international film Triangle of Sadness, for which she became the first Filipino actor to get a Golden Globe nomination.
For 2023, she starred in the Kapamilya film A Very Good Girl with Kathryn Bernardo.
Her upcoming international projects include the HULU series Nine Perfect Strangers with Nicole Kidman; Between the Temples, written and directed by Nathan Silvers; and Grand Death Lotto with Akwafina, John Cena, and Simu Liu.
