Mga pelikulang Pinoy dadalhin sa masa

Inilahad ni Chairman Briccio Santos ang kanyang four-fold plan for Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) sa pagpasok nitong bagong taon. Planado na ang mga gustong mangyari ng bagong upong chairman ng FDCP at nakalatag na kung anu-ano ito na makakatulong ng malaki sa naghihingalong sitwasyon ng industriya ng pelikula sa bansa.

Kasama sa kanyang master plan ang creation ng Sine Pambansa at Cine Barangay.

Kasama rin ang establishment ng national film archives arm; ang pagpapalakas ng film distribution infrastructure; with the hopes of broadening FDCP’s mandate to include all other bodies na audio-visually-related.

Pero prayoridad niya ang pagsisimula ng Sine Pambansa (National Cinema) at Cinema Barangay (Community Cinema) – dalawang key programs na inaasahan niyang maa-achieve sa suporta ng local government units at private sectors sa tulong siyempre ni Presidente Noynoy Aquino.

At isang early sign ng positive response para sa kanyang priority programs ay ang kauna-unahang Iloilo Film Festival na magsisimula ngayong January, bago ang Dinagyang Festival.

“We intend to localize film festivals to faithfully reflect the rich multi-ethnic and multi-lingual composition of our people. To reach communities that are not fully urbanized, we aim to partner with government and non-government agencies for the reintroduction of mobile cinema, but in the service not of politics but culture,” sabi ni Mr. Briccio.

“We will recognize the works of gifted and visionary filmmakers who choose to focus on our culture and rich diversity. While quality films have been promoted in the international market, we will now focus on giving our communities the chance to appreciate these films at the local setting.” Siyempre dismayado siya sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng movie industry. “In the ’60s, the Philippines was producing 300 films a year. In 2008, the country produced 80 films, majority of which were indie films. In 1997, we had more than 200 mainstream films and last year as of November we have only 19; however, triple of that are a number of indies produced,” dagdag ng bagong chairman ng FDCP, ang pumalit kay Mr. Jackie Atienza.

“These indie films — today’s emergent cinema — have hardly any venues for screening. They are supported in their participation in major film festivals around the world, but there is no infrastructure that exists for them in our country. This can’t go on. It’s absurd. Filipino films must be brought to the masses, to the greater majority, for film appreciation and exposure. The FDCP can fund these local endeavors. We’ll be at the forefront and in the thick of it.”

Imagine nga naman kung 19 plus eight sa 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), plus My Amnesia Girl ng Star Cinema, equals 28 lang ang naipalabas na pelikula noong 2010.

Seryoso si Mr. Briccio sa kanyang misyon.

May karugtong bukas.