The QCinema Project Market, a flagship film industry initiative of the QCinema International Film Festival (QCinema), recently revealed the winners of its inaugural film project during an awards ceremony at the Novotel Hotel Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City. This significant event took place alongside the QCinema International Film Festival’s 2023 edition, granting the winners a total of P26 million in monetary support and co-production grants.
Now in its eleventh year, the QCinema International Film Festival extends beyond showcasing some of the finest Filipino and world cinema. It enriches the festival experience by introducing the first QCinema Project Market, a platform aiming to facilitate connections between talent and opportunities, especially for production and project funding. The two-day networking and pitching event held last November 18 to 19, 2023, brought together representatives of 19 feature-length fiction films from Southeast Asia to engage in one-on-one meetings with local and international producers, as well as representatives from production and post-production companies.
The conclusion of the QCinema Project Market heralded the announcement of the recipients of the project market’s major awards and special grants. Notably, the QCinema Project Market – Philippines Co-production Grant, valued at around $55,000 (3M PHP) each, was awarded to “The Remotes” by director-producer John Torres and “Filipiñana” by director Rafael Manuel.
Additionally, two film projects received the QCinema Project Market – Philippines Co-production Grant worth $27,000 (1.5M PHP) each: “The Boy and the Fight of Spiders (Diwalwal)” by director Jarell Serencio and “Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw,” adapted from the comic book series of the same name, directed by Mervin Malonzo. The latter was the only animation project in the lineup.
Furthermore, the QCinema Project Market – Southeast Asia Co-production Grant, valued at $35,000 each, was bestowed upon “The Sea is Calm Tonight” by Vietnamese director Le Bao, and two Singaporean film projects—“The Drought” and “Trinity,” directed by Nelson Yeo and Boo Junfeng, respectively.
In line with the project market’s objective of fostering innovative and globally significant films and promoting synergy in the Southeast Asian region, film industry partners contributed development and post-production grants. Notably, the CMB Discovery Award offered grants for film equipment rental support to projects like “Filipiniana” and “Violet Flower” by director Jerome Zamora, while other Filipino and Southeast Asian film projects received grants.
Isabel Sandoval’s “Underworld” secured the Narra Sight and Sound Post Grant, entitling the winner to video and audio post-production services. The Kongchak Studio Award went to “The Drought,” offering in-kind sound post-production services in Cambodia. Malaysia’s “The Fox King” received the Mocha Chai Award, encompassing comprehensive post-production services.
Moreover, the Central Digital Lab Color Grading Grant was awarded to “Tale of the Land” (Indonesia) and “The Sea is Calm Tonight” (Vietnam). Carlo Catu’s “Hold My Gaze” secured the Pop Up Film Residency QCinema Award, earning an invitation to a tailored residency in Paris, France.
“RIA,” directed by Arvin Bellarmino, emerged as a double award winner, receiving a development grant from CreaZion Studios and a sponsored color grading package from Space Lion Studios in Singapore.
Ed Lejano, QCinema Artistic Director, expressed his hope to integrate the QCinema Project Market as a regular component of the yearly international film festival. Liza Dino-Seguerra, QCinema Project Market Managing Director, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the success and potential of the project market in facilitating collaborations among filmmakers in the region.
The event selected finalists from nearly 70 film submissions across the Southeast Asian region. The networking event’s aim is to support films at the development level and foster cross-border collaborations and co-production opportunities among Filipino, Southeast Asian, and international filmmakers, aligning with QCinema International Film Festival’s commitment to providing a platform for strong creative voices in film.
The QCinema International Film Festival will continue its film screenings until November 26, 2023. For the screening schedule, visit www.qcinema.ph. The festival includes screenings of timeless film classics such as “Chungking Express,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “Enter the Dragon,” and “Fallen Angels.”
