SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENAT.e 
S.B. No. 
~936 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
'15 SEP-7 P2:13 
SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT FILMS BY 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO FILMMAKERS WHO ARE GIVEN HONORS IN 
NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Independent films are feature films produced completely outside a major film 
studio system. Further, indie films, as they are called, are produced and/or distributed 
by subsidiaries of major film studios. 
As to content and style, indie films are distinguishable because indies are mostly 
realization of filmmakers' personal artistic vision - more earthly, more personal, braver 
and more carefree. 
In the Philippines, indie film production is flourishing. A good number of films 
have already been recognized not only in local award giving bodies but international as 
well. Many big names in mainstream movie industry has also played significant roles in 
various indie films, such as Dolphy, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, etc. 
This bill seeks to support the production of Indie Films by providing incentives to 
filmmakers. These incentives should become motivation for our talented film makers to 
produce more of their valuable films. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENA?l936 
S.B.No. __ 
_ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
'15 
SEP -7 P2:13 
1n-I'EIVEIl 1'\':""""6-" 
SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT FILMS BY 
PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO FILMMAKERS WHO ARE GIVEN HONORS IN 
NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Philippine 
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Independent Film Incentives Act of 2015." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and 
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support the development and growth of the local film industry, in general, and the 
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production of independent films, in particular. The State shall endeavour to discover, 
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encourage, and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate 
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and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. 
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SEC. 3. Grants for Award-Winning Films. - To achieve this law's purpose, 
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Philippine independent films that have been awarded the Best Film prize or its 
12 
equivalent including those that merited recognition for technical excellence in respected 
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international film competitions or cinema festivals shall be given the following incentives: 
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1. A grant of Five Million Pesos (P5,OOO,OOO.00) to the film production or entity 
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that produced the award winning full-length feature or documentary film; 
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2. A grant of Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) to the film production or entity 
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that produced the award winning short feature or documentary film; 
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3. Full tax exemption relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial 
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exhibition, including those levied by local government units; 
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4. The award-winning film shall be considered and shall have the honor of being 
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given an automatic rating of an "A" film being granted by the Cinema 
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Evaluation Board. 
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Sec. 4. Eligibility for Grants. - To be eligible for a grant under Section 3.1, films 
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must be made by Filipino filmmakers who have not yet directed more than three (3) full 
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length commercial feature films. The total production budget for the full length feature or 
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documentary film should not exceed Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00). The film 
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length should be between 90 to 120 minutes. 
14 
To be eligible for a grant under Section 3.2, the film must be made by a Filipino 
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filmmaker. The total production budget for the short feature or documentary film should 
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not exceed One Million Pesos (P1 ,000,000.00). The film length should not be more than 
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20 minutes (no minimum length). 
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All films should not have been produced by commercial producers to guarantee 
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the filmmakers' creative control over the film. 
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SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - The National Commission for Culture and the 
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Arts (NCCA) is hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and 
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carry out the provisions of this Act. The NCCA shall, within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out and enforce the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 6. Appropriations. - A special fund amounting to Fifty Million Pesos 
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(P50,000,000.OO) which shall be sourced from the funds of the Philippine Amusement 
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and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is hereby created. Other amounts as may be 
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1 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, are hereby authorized to be 
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appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
5 
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full 
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force and effect. 
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, republic acts, presidential decrees, orders, 
9 
rules and regulations or other issuance of government agencies inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette. 
Approved. 
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