Group seeks creation of local film body

CEBU, Philippines -  The convenor of the Cebuano Cinema Development Council has requested the members of the Cebu City Council to pass a measure that would create a ruling body to revive the Visayan film-making industry.

Marlon Douglas Hofer said the creation of a council would help the aspiring filmmakers to develop and strengthen their artistry in the craft of film-making.

“In behalf of the stakeholders, independent film makers, cineastes, cinephiles and artists of Cebu, I am respectfully requesting the City Council’s consideration in passing an ordinance creating the Cebuano Cinema Development Council,” he said

The CCDC will comprise of ten representatives from multiple sectors and stakeholders, such as two each from the government and cinema education, one each from tourism, movie journalism and film archives and three from independent cinema to “ensure that the development of a native cinema industry serves the diverse interests and advocacies for a progressive and prosperous Cebu.”

This, he said, would not only feature Cebu’s heritage but also will further boost tourism and strengthens economic linkages.

“Cebuano movie can forge links through domestic and international movie festivals circuit and potentially bring home prestige, as well as prominence,” he said.

Moreover, he said the film industry is in dire need of support from the local government units (LGUs) to properly harness the capacities of Cebu-based service providers, suppliers, directors, actors, editors, production managers, production designers, other professionals, unit and groups involved in movie productions.

Remton Zuasola, a Cebuano moviemaker, agreed to the creation of the said council in order to unite the Cebuano film community.

Zuasolsa won an award from the Philippine Arts Festival’s Ani ng Dangal for topping a motion picture in an International Movie Festival in 2012.

“That is to have the support of our local government to cultivate a fertile ground where our own filmmakers can plant new seeds that will bring an abundant harvest of artful Cebuano Cinema, because I believe that with the right support we are on our way to a new golden era of a Visayan cinema. And now is the right time to do this,” Zuasola told The FREEMAN.

The proposed measure was referred by the City Council to the committee on tourism headed by Councilor James Cuenco for further study.

In the early 20th century, Cebu City has hosted the novelty of the French cinematographic apparatus and reached peak during the golden age of Cebuano movies in the 1950’s to 1970’s.

In Cebu, the International Academy of Film and TV and the University of San Carlos Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema cater the practice of motion picture production.

These institutions are committed to study the history of Cebuano cinema, “the stewardship of its present and the critical development of its future.”

Cebuano Motion pictures is not just a means of entertainment but also an “agent or access point of Cebuano society, culture and life,” said Hofer.

“Cebuano can serve its community as a quality art industry, as an attractor for business and tourism, as an instrument for the enrichment of local culture and Cebuano identity, as an inspirational stimulus for the community, through the guidance and support of the said council that has the means and authority to progress Cebuano Cinema and motion picture production in Cebu forward,” he pointed out.  (FREEMAN)