The Philippine film and video industry is often viewed through a lens of glamour, yet for aspiring creators, the path from the classroom to the studio can feel like a complex maze.
To bridge this gap, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila recently hosted a multimedia seminar centered on “Philippine Film and Video Industry: Career Pathways and Opportunities.”
Seymour Sanchez, an award-winning filmmaker, long-time film educator, and advocate for Philippine cinema, facilitated the session by giving his insights on the topic.
Bringing his industry experience to the discussion, Sanchez was more than just a speaker. He also served as a navigator for the next generation of multimedia professionals.
The filmmaker/film educator opened the discussion with a practical look at the diverse roles available in today’s digital landscape. He emphasized that while the industry is rooted in storytelling, the technical and strategic avenues have expanded increasingly.
Sanchez encouraged students to master multiple disciplines, ranging from scriptwriting and cinematography to postproduction and digital marketing, to thrive in the film and video industry.
He underscored the importance of telling authentic Filipino stories, noting that global streaming platforms are increasingly hungry for localized content with a unique cultural voice. He also tackled the shift from traditional studio systems to freelance and independent production cycles.
What set Sanchez’s talk apart was his “boots-on-the-ground” perspective. As someone deeply involved in both the academe and the professional circuit, he translated complex industry jargon into actionable advice for the LPU MMA students.
He focused not just on what to do, but how to do it, emphasizing the necessity of networking, portfolio building, and professional ethics.
“The industry is built on talent, but it is sustained by discipline and the ability to adapt to new technologies,” Sanchez stressed during the session.
The seminar provided a vital platform for students to engage directly with a film professional. By the end of the session, attendees walked away not just with a better understanding of the Philippine film landscape, but with a renewed sense of purpose regarding their own career trajectories.
As LPU Manila continues to foster excellence in its Multimedia Arts program, sessions like this ensure that students graduate not just with degrees, but with the industry intelligence required to lead the future of Philippine media.
Sanchez’s take-home message was clear: “The opportunities are there, the pathways are open, and for those willing to hone their craft, the big screen is closer than it seems.”
Sanchez, who teaches film at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Far Eastern University, is a member of the Academic Film Society Advisory Committee of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He served as Bacolod Film Festival director in 2024 and Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages of the FDCP from 2022 to 2025.
