BACOLOD CITY, PHILIPPINES – Bacolod City is putting itself forward to elevate the Bacolod filmmaking industry after meeting with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and global creative industries research organization Olsberg•SPI.
Bacolod City Government officials and Negrense filmmakers met with FDCP and Olsberg•SPI to discuss the development of a strategic roadmap for the future of the country’s film industry.
Bacolod City Councilor Em Legaspi Ang, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marty Go, Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) 2024 Director Seymour Sanchez, and Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions head Dr. Mae Ferrer-Llamas and Zabrina Bentley and Aisel Joyce Tupas welcomed Project Development Officers Rachelle Villaluna and Kianne Cho of the FDCP Policy and Planning Unit and Olsberg•SPI representatives Joshua Hines-Dedman and Kayleigh Hughes at the Office of the City Mayor last January 16.



The meeting focused on Bacolod City’s pitch to become a UNESCO Creative City of Film, consultative talks on the Bacolod filmmaking industry, and proposals for conducting a filmmaking workshop or a boot camp for Negrense filmmakers.
The Sine Negrense Film Festival also organized a separate group discussion with FDCP, Olsberg•SPI, Regional filmmakers, and industry professionals from Negros Occidental.
The Bacolod City Government shared that they are willing to foster partnerships and collaborations to help further improve the city’s creative industry.
FDCP is collaborating with Olsberg•SPI to come up with a roadmap that “will underpin the FDCP’s main priorities of strengthening the country’s domestic film industry and expanding the potential to attract more international productions.”
Filmmakers from BFF, Sine Negrense, Margaha Film Festival, La Salle Film Society, Hinigaran National High School, and others engaged “in meaningful discussions on workforce development, infrastructure, production incentives, distribution challenges, and sustainable practices in filmmaking” to strengthen the Philippine film industry and amplify its presence on the global stage.
Last year, ten filmmakers showcased their short films with the theme “Stories with a Smile” during the BFF held at SM City Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central cinemas from September 12 to 15. “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair), written and directed by Vincent Joseph Entuna, won BFF Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

FDCP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jose Javier “Direk Joey” Reyes, who also headed the BFF 2024 jury, and Olsberg•SPI CEO Leon Forde signed a strategic roadmap partnership to “deliver goals and targets that will address challenges and gaps, and will also outline the strategic direction of the Philippine film industry in the next five to 10 years.”