Quezon City, Philippines – To strengthen its commitment to developing the local film industry, the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) and QCinema International Film Festival Committee attended the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival and Marche du Film in Cannes, France.
QC District 1 Congressman Arjo Atayde led the QC delegation and pledged his full support to the city’s vision to be the film and entertainment capital of the Philippines. QCinema, the country’s top international film festival, was represented by Artistic Director Ed Lejano, Executive Officer Giana Barata, board member Armi Cacanindin and QC Film Foundation President Manet Dayrit.
Representing the QCFDC is newly appointed Executive Director Liza Diño. As the former Chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Diño brings her wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her role in championing the Quezon City film industry.
Working with the full support of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and the local government, the Commission will continue to promote the growth of the film industry and invest in cinema as a catalyst for both cultural and economic development in Quezon City.
During their participation in Cannes, QCFDC and QCinema hosted two remarkable events that made their mark on the international film community. The first event was Film Festival Directors’ Lunch last May 19th which was attended by A-list and prominent film festival directors and programmers from Locarno, Tallinn, Toronto, Venice, Fribourg, Three Continents – Nantes, Bucheon, Hawaii, Vesoul, New York, Vienna, Germany, Busan, Switzerland, Bangkok, and Rotterdam film festivals. This exclusive gathering introduced the QCFDC and the QCinema International Film Festival with opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
The second event, the QCinema Night, witnessed the unveiling of QCFDC’s exciting plans for the 11th edition of the QCinema. With an unwavering commitment to support feature films, QCFDC announced it is revitalizing the Asian Next Wave category, while expanding the RainbowQC section to further amplify the LGBTQIA+ voices within the festival. These initiatives showcase QCFDC’s progressive vision and dedication to fostering diverse storytelling and artistic excellence.
Mayor Belmonte commented on the successful Cannes participation, “We are immensely proud of QCFDC’s representation at Cannes International Film Festival and Marche du Film. Our presence in such a prestigious event affirms our commitment to positioning Quezon City as a hub for creativity and innovation in the global film industry. Together with QCinema, we are proud that our newly-revitalized film commission will bring home many opportunities to collaborate with esteemed partners from around the world.”
As QCFDC continues to forge ahead, it remains steadfast in its mission to propel the growth of the Quezon City film industry, nurture emerging talent, and celebrate diverse narratives that resonate on a global scale. For more information on the Commission and the Festival, visit www.qcinema.ph.
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About the Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC): The Quezon City Film Development Commission (QCFDC) is a regional film commission based in Quezon City, Philippines. With a vision to champion Quezon City into a vibrant and thriving center for film and cinema, QCFDC is dedicated to fostering creativity, supporting emerging talent, and advancing the cultural and economic development of the city through film. Led by a passionate team of industry professionals, QCFDC actively collaborates with local and international partners to promote the growth of Quezon City’s film industry.
