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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3615
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT GRANTING INCENTIVES TO FILIPINO FILMMAKERS WHO WERE
GRANTED HONORS IN NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Although foreign films were shown in the Philippines since the Spanish period,
interest in the creation of local films was not given much attention by the
Filipinos.

Independent Filipino cinema, has existed for almost as long as commercialized
cinema, but this type of cinema has not been recognized as much, and thus has
few historical accounts. Many of the independent films show actual happenings
in the society using authentic voices of the people, but oftentimes, these films
have been suppressed due to its revelations about social and political realities or
marginalized due to its cinematography.

This bill aims to support the local film industry and further promote Filipino
culture, This measure provides that P2,000,000.00 may be granted to a film
director, main artist, screenplay, or technical support filmmaker personnel, who
received the highest international awards in their categories. Whereas,
P1,000,000.00 may also be granted for supporting artists or technicians who
have garnered the highest award in their respective categories

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.

‘ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

615
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT GRANTING INCENTIVES TO FILIPINO FILMMAKERS WHO WERE
GRANTED HONORS IN NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Film Industry Incentives
‘Act of 2019".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote and support the development and growth of the local film industry, which
includes both mainstream and independent films, produced by the Filipinos filmmakers
or production entities that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience
with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Towards this end, the State shall grant incentives to filmmakers or production
entities based on merit to encourage the production of more high quality film projects
for the local and global markets

SEC. 3. Incentives for Filipinos Filmmakers. - The following incentives shall be
granted to Filipino filmmakers or production entities, whose films merited the highest
recognition for technical or artistic excellence in notable international film festivals, to
wit

{a) Five million pesos (P5,000,000,00) to the filmmaker or production entity
that produces an international award-winning full-length feature or
documentary film;

(b) Three million pesos (P3,000,000.00) to the filmmaker or production entity
that produces an international award-winning short feature or documentary
film;

(©) Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) shall be granted for the film director,
main artist, screenplay, or for technical support filmmaker personnel
including scriptwriter, cinematographer, editor, production designer, music
scoring, sound director, audio or video technician category who received the
highest international awards in their respective categories. Should there be
more than one winner, the amount/reward allotted for this category shall be
equally divided among the winners:

(d) One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) to supporting artists or technicians who
have garnered the highest award in their respective categories; and

{e) An “A” grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board for the international award:
winning films as stated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section;



For purposes of this Act, “notable international film festivals” refer to
international film festivals which have given recognition and rewards to high quality
films for the last five (5) years and are well-known for their international profile,
audience size, and the quality and breadth of their festival and industry programs,

SEC. 4, Eligibilities for Incentives. - To be eligible to receive the incentives under
Section 3(a) of this Act, the international award-winning film must be made or produced
by a Filipino filmmaker or production entity as the case may be. The total production
budget for each of the full-length feature or documentary film must not exceed Ten
million pesos (P10,000,000.00). The film length must be between ninety (90) to one
hundred twenty (120) minutes.

To be eligible under Section 3(b) of this Act, the film must be made by a Filipino
filmmaker or production entity. The total production budget for the short feature or
documentary film must not exceed Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00). The film length
must be less than ninety (90) minutes

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the budget of the Film Development Council of the
Philippines in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Film Development Council of
the Philippines, in coordination with the Film Academy of the Philippines and the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, shall promulgate the implementing rules
and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ all laws, decrees, letters of instructions, resolutions,
orders, ordinance or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,