MANILA, Philippines - Independent film directors seeking sponsors to finance their documentaries can pitch their ideas to a foreign film producer right here in the country.
Caldecott Productions International, a Singapore-based company that specializes in producing and distributing original Asian documentaries, organized the first-ever “Asian Pitch” in Manila, held at the Edsa Shangrila Hotel and at the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) compound last Wednesday and Thursday.
New, original
The two-day event was designed to encourage filmmakers to submit ideas for new and original documentaries.
Caldecott mounted the event with Creative Media and Film Society of the Philippines (CreaM), which aims to unify the independent film, animation, and digital media industries.
“This group came to Manila hoping to compile Asian content,” CreaM president Imee Marcos told Inquirer Entertainment. “There is a growing interest in Filipino films abroad, we have to take advantage of this.”
Impressed
Marcos said she was impressed with the turnout, with some of the stalwarts of the docu industry like Ditsi Carolino, Roxlee and Isabel Kenny attending.
“They realized this was a rare feat. They said we should support this no matter what the restrictions were,” she said.
The directors of the Top 3 docu proposals that will get the green light from Caldecott will receive financial support, Marcos said.
Winning entries will be aired by top networks in Japan (NHK), Korea (KBS) and Singapore (Media Corp.), and will be shown at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.
Aim to win
Documentaries from the Philippines will compete with entries from other Southeast Asian countries. Last year’s winners were from India, Indonesia and Malaysia, said Marcos.
“The Philippines didn’t submit any last year. We intend to win this year,” she added.
Journalists, broadcasters, full-length filmmakers, production personnel and writers also attended “Asian Pitch.”
“The topics they have suggested are snapshots of what’s in the Philippine consciousness,” Marcos said.
There were docus on the Mindanao conflict, youth and education, vanishing tribal communities, and the local fashion.
How to apply
There were tales of ordinary heroes, stories showing deep concern for the environment, even gay wedding rituals.
“Caldecott representatives admitted that they didn’t know who to contact in the Philippines last year,” said Mina Caliguia, CreaM executive director for animation. “It’s true that there’s still no market for docus here, other than for those we see on television. This is our chance to promote this industry.”
Interested docu filmmakers may send their application letters along with a DVD of their past works or existing footage to CreaM, preferably three days before the April 30 deadline. For details, visit www.creativemediaphilippines.com.
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080121-113639/Docu-filmmakers-hit-the-right-pitch