On October 25, Quezon City Film Commission executive director Liza Diño-Seguerra highlighted QC’s goal of becoming the Philippines’ film hub.
At the media conference for QCinema, which LionhearTV covered, Diño-Seguerra noted QC Mayor Joy Belmonte’s goal of having their city as the country’s film hub.
“So ngayon, with the trust of our dear Mayor and her goal to really leave a legacy. Naumpisahan na with the QCinema, in the past ten years to make sure na ang Quezon City ang magiging heart at hub at film capital po ng bansa. The Quezon City Film Commission–is now being revived as an established commission, and she has entrusted me with the building this.”
She then cited some of the steps they are undertaking to make it more convenient for filmmakers to conduct their productions in Quezon City, noting how they would be similar to Hollywood.
“Ina-nnounce na ni Mayor kanina ‘yung mga una naming mga gagawin. A One-Stop-Shop permit office para mas magkaroon tayo ng ease of business sa pag-proseso ng mga film permits dito, creating incentives, to enjoin, to encourage more filmmaking.
“So we’re going to make Quezon City like Los Angeles, like the Hollywood of the Philippines, so ayun ang plan ng ating mahal na Mayor.”
She also noted their application for UNESCO Creative City for Film by 2025.
“And, of course, the application for the UNESCO creative city for film by 2025, so we have a lot of work to do, and one of the goal and the pillars, pinaka-importanteng showcase and platform natin ngayon ay ang QCinema.”
Aside from their goals, Diño-Seguerra recounted how QCinema came from a Quezon City ordinance.
“Actually, the Quezon City Film Commission is the ordinance [that] was passed way back in 2006 that establishes the local agency that is in charge of any film-related activities to promote filmmaking and the growth of filmmaking in Quezon City.
“One of the initiatives is actually QCinema, but through the years, QCinema has been the more active component of the Quezon City government in implementing its initiatives.”
Also present during the event were festival director Ed Lejano, QCFFI president Manet Dayrit, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
As for QCinema 2023, the QCinema International Film Festival (QCIFF) happens from November 17 to November 26 at the Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, U.P. Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza and Power Plant Mall cinemas.
The 10-day festival features 60 movies, split into ten sections, including three competition sections. The sections include ‘The Asian Next Wave,’ ‘QCSEA,’ ‘New Horizons,’ ‘Restored Classics,’ and ‘QCDox.’ Other programs include QCinema Project Market (QPM) and the QCinema Young Film Critics Lab.
