MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe thinks there is no need for a separate film festival for independent movies, contrary to Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s proposal to hold one during the “long semestral break.”

Instead, she said, there should be a balance between the indie and mainstream films.

Poe, also the daughter of movie icons Fernando Poe Jr and Susan Roces, made the remark on Tuesday, January 24, after the Senate committee on public information and mass media held a hearing on the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2016. 

“Hindi na kailangan [ng separate festival]. Sa tingin ko, puwede nang pagsamahin, kaya lang siguro, ‘yung bumubuo ng executive committee na pumipili ng mga pelikula, maglagay rin tayo ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan – mga tricycle drivers, teachers, mga nanay. Hindi naman lahat kailangan ay sa industriya lang kasi siyempre iba’t-iba ang panlasa natin,” she said. 

(There’s no need [for a separate festival]. I think we can combine them, but I guess, for the executive committee which picks the films, we should have ordinary people as members too – like tricycle drivers, teachers, mothers. Not all of them need to be entertainment industry members, because we have our own individual tastes.)

‘Not because of Vic’

Sotto earlier said that an indie film festival should be held separate from the annual December MMFF to put a spotlight on independent cinema and bring back the mainstream MMFF favorites that kids enjoy during Christmas. (READ: Sotto files Senate resolution for indie film fest)

During the hearing, Sotto rejected speculations that he filed his Senate resolution simply because the movie of his brother, actor Vic Sotto, was not included in MMFF 2016.

Vic’s films have become regulars at the MMFF in recent years. But in 2016, his entry Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers did not make the lineup.

“When I crafted this resolution, I never intended to favor anyone. Maybe if there is anyone that I would want to give favor to, it would be the independent film industry and the intended recipients of the MMFF proceeds; and not what most of the people thought – which is the mainstream films, particularly that of my brother Vic,” Senator Sotto said.

He later added that Vic would not be joining MMFF 2017. “As I have mentioned in the beginning, a lot of people thought that I filed Resolution No. 257 because Vic was not included in the 2016 MMFF entries. That is not true; just to drive a point, Vic made a decision not to join this year’s MMFF.”

On the indie film fest, the senator also emphasized, “This proposed move would give a level playing field for independent films because they will compete with movies similarly situated as them.”

Strengthening the film industry

Meanwhile, Poe said that based on discussions during Tuesday’s hearing, a law is needed to strengthen the film industry, particularly the MMFF. The festival has been suffering from issues such as the improper turnover of profits to the beneficiaries, the selection of films, and changes in rules.

The MMFF had been created through presidential proclamations and Metro Manila Council executive orders.

“Kailangang patuloy ang paggawa ng batas na makakatulong talaga sa industriya kasi ngayon wala namang batas ang MMFF,” Poe said.

(We need to continue making laws that will help the industry because right now, there’s no law when it comes to the MMFF.)

“Kaya minsan, ‘yung parte na nakukuha ng mga benepisyaryo katulad ng Mowelfund o ng Film Academy [of the Philippines], paliit nang paliit. Siguro may batas na magsasabi hindi ito talaga ang inyong porsyento diyan sa kinikita, kasi minsan nga bilyun-bilyon ang kinikita pero 1% ang share ng beneficiaries.”

(That’s why the shares of the beneficiaries such as Mowelfund or the Film Academy [of the Philippines] always get reduced. Maybe there should be a law that says this is not really the percentage that you should get from the earnings, because there are times the beneficiaries are just getting 1%.)

She added that the working conditions of those in the film industry should be discussed too, as many are contractual workers. 

“Dapat kasama pa rin ang kanilang kalusugan, ang kanilang kaligtasan sa ating binabantayan,” she said. (We should also watch out for their health and safety.)

At the hearing, some industry members said they were open to having a separate film festival, but others, like Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra, said the recent MMFF changes should be given a chance. 

Nationwide film festival

Sotto and the MMFF Selection Committee also suggested that the MMFF be turned into a nationwide film festival that will cover all genres, with movies screened in all theaters across the Philippines.  

Sotto said a law is needed, not just a resolution, to avoid controversies that have hounded the MMFF for the past years. 

He plans to draft a Philippine National Promotion Act, he said, which will outline specific initiatives to promote the festival further. It will also allow stakeholders, like ordinary moviegoers and theater owners, to be part of the MMFF committees.

Poe said she will work closely with Sotto on the proposed measure. – Rappler.com