Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival Organizers Join "Sanga’t Daan: Festivals at the Crossroads to the Future" Workshop

In a bid to address the challenges of sustainability and identity in regional film festivals, the National Committee on Cinema (NCC) under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) gathered festival directors from across the Philippines for a three-day forum titled "Sanga’t Daan: Festivals at the Crossroads to the Future." The event, held from May 9 to May 11, 2024, in Dumaguete City, was marked by fruitful discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.

The forum, symbolized by a logo featuring a tree with bountiful leaves and branches, signifying a long history of networks and evolution, aimed to revisit the essence of regional festivals. What started as celebrations of local cultures and traditions have now evolved into discussions about sustainability, identity, and community engagement.

One of the prominent participants in the workshop was the team behind Sine Negrense, the renowned film festival representing Negros Island, along with the Margaha Film Festival of the City of Sagay and the Lutas Film Festival from Dumaguete City.  Throughout the event, they engaged in various sessions led by industry experts, aimed at enhancing their festival management skills and fostering collaboration among regional festivals.

Among the topics covered were:

• Film Festival Sustainability: Mr. Ed Lejano of QCinema, based in Quezon City, provided insights into strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of film festivals.

• Beyond Screenings: Mr. Chris Millado of Cinemalaya discussed innovative approaches to engaging audiences beyond traditional film screenings.

• Regional Branding and National Identity: Mr. Tito Valiente of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino explored the significance of regional branding and its role in shaping national identity.

• Digital Marketing: Mr. Jan Dela Peña shared tactics for leveraging digital platforms to promote festivals and reach wider audiences.

• Grants and Proposal Writing: Ms. Danz Katanyag provided valuable tips on securing grants and writing effective proposals to support festival initiatives.

• Intellectual Property: Atty. Janice Tejano offered insights into protecting intellectual property rights in the film industry.

• Design Thinking: Mr. Jag Garcia guided participants through the principles of design thinking for creative problem-solving.

The workshop concluded with a dynamic town hall meeting, where members of the National Committee on Cinema and regional festival directors strategized for the future of Philippine cinema. The event received support from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Foundation University, and Dumaguete City Tourism Office.

As regional film festivals continue to evolve, the insights gained from "Sanga’t Daan" are expected to pave the way for a more vibrant and sustainable film festival landscape in the Philippines.