Bills seeking to push indie films, promote film tourism filed in Senate

Two bills seeking to push the development of Filipino independent films and promote film tourism have been filed by Senator Grace Poe.

Under the proposed "Philippine Independent Film Incentives Act of 2019,” incentives of up to P5 million will be given to production outfits that produce award-winning films.

Poe said the bill aims to discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that “boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.”

The bill states independent films awarded the Best Film prize or its equivalent including those that received recognition for technical excellence in respected international film competitions or cinema festivals shall be given the following incentives:

• A grant of P5 million to the film production or entity that produces the award-winning full-length feature or documentary film;
• A grant of P3 million to the film production or entity that produces the award-winning short feature or documentary film;
• Full tax exemption relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial exhibition, including those levied by local government units;
• The award-winning film shall be considered and shall have the honor of being given an automatic rating of an “A” film being granted by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

The senator also proposed to tap a P50-million fund from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for the incentives.

On the other hand, the proposed Philippine Film and Television Tourism Act aims to boost the country’s tourism industry through films, which will in turn generate jobs and livelihood for the people.

“We have sparkling beaches, imposing waterfalls, historical heritage sites, where many of our movies have been shot. We should grab the opportunity to market these so that movie fans will also be travellers to these destinations,” Poe said.

Under the bill, a Philippine Film and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA) will be created. 

It will be composed of representatives from government agencies who will be in charge of promoting and marketing the country as location site for the production of movie and television programs.

The body will also assist in the implementation of a reward and incentive package for foreign film/television entities interested in shooting films/television programs in the country and submit related recommendations; it will also help in the processing of requirements relative to production.

An Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism will also be created as a governing board and policy-making body of the PFTTA.

Poe is the daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr., National Artist for Film, and veteran actress Susan Roces.

She was also a former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. —KG, GMA News