USC-SAFAD Holds Binisaya Filmmaker’s Forum
Photo by Keith Ayuman
The School of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design held the Binisaya Filmmaker’s Forum at the SAFAD Theater last Sept. 30, 2017, celebrating ten years of cinema in Cebu. The hour-long event discussed building an audience for films, exhibition and financing, among others. In addition to the USC cinema students attending the event were several of the university’s cinema alumni and film practitioners outside USC witnessing the panel.
Present in the forum were Ronald Arguelles, the executive producer for all Cinema One Originals films; Atty. Don Arawan, the executive director of the Philippine Film Export Service, Khavn Dela Cruz, a director and writer known for the films Ruined Heart and Mondomanila; Christian Linaban, a Cebu-based cinematographer and director of “Aberya”, and “Superpsycho Cebu”; Remton Zuasola, a director, writer and production designer known for “Soap Opera” and the award-winning “Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria”; Popoy Guillermo, head of FDCP Programming; Wilfred Manalang, an award-winning director for both film and TV who is currently serving as the executive director of FDCP; and Chin Villamor, a producer, writer and collaborator of all Khavn Dela Cruz’s projects.
During the forum, the speakers mentioned the changes made in the film market in the last ten years. Atty. Arawan discussed reaching out with other production companies to expand distribution channels. Christian Linaban praised the progress of Cebuano films with the quality of films being improved, which was echoed by Popoy Guillermo who talked about Cebuano films now being recognizable to the public.
Wilfred Manalang also mentioned about developing global content in scriptwriting for independent films, the modern technology being a threat to theatre and understanding the audience in film release. Afterwards, Chin Villamor discussed ways filmmakers can also become businessmen. Remton Zuasola followed on how a film director manages to survive in the film industry despite the hardships he might face inside and outside his professional career as a filmmaker.
The forum ended with the panelists discussing about the Cinematheque seating plans in Cebu. A group picture took place with everyone in attendance and the film “Aberya”, directed by Christian Linaban, screened after the forum.
