FL, tourism and trade chiefs showcase Phl to Hollywood producers

The Philippines is positioning itself as a prime destination for international film productions, with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque spearheading efforts to attract Hollywood filmmakers.

The officials hosted a gathering of producers and industry executives at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in California as part of the "Expanding The Bridge Initiative," aimed at reintroducing the Philippine film industry to Hollywood. The event coincided with the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) and focused on showcasing the country’s scenic locations, rich culture, and talent pool for international productions.

"We travel a lot and people say ‘oh, the Philippines is so beautiful’, like this and that, and why not we open the doors and let people film, right? For all of you who have been to Manila, it is beautiful, right? And they don’t want to go back home after going to the Philippines," the First Lady said.

Tourism Secretary Frasco highlighted the diverse landscapes and filming incentives available to filmmakers.

“The Philippines, with its archipelago of over 7,600 islands, is the perfect canvas for filmmaking, precisely because of the diversity of our destinations from our pristine beaches of Boracay, Palawan, Siquijor, Cebu, Camiguin, and so many more. To our lush landscapes in the northernmost part of the Philippines, Batanes, to the hinterlands of the country in Bukidnon in Mindanao, to our urbane cityscapes — from the historic walls of Intramuros in Metro Manila, to the bustling city of Cebu — there's a wealth of destinations at which you can make your films," Frasco said.

She also emphasized tax incentives under the CREATE MORE Law, which grants foreign film productions income tax holidays of up to six years, lower corporate tax rates, and exemptions from importation taxes when they collaborate with local production companies.

“The beauty of filming in the Philippines is not just on the strength of its places, but most importantly, its people. The Philippines is an English proficient country with a wealth of creative talent that can be hired for a local production film crew, as well as a robust ecosystem of filmmakers that are now invigorated because of the efforts of our First Lady to bring everyone together to rally for filming in the Philippines,” Frasco added.

Hollywood heavyweights express interest

Secretary Roque announced a potential $50 million soundstage investment from Hollywood's Birns & Sawyer.

She said the landmark deal promises to elevate our film production capabilities, with plans for state-of-the-art soundstages in New Clark City and other key locations.

“Beyond infrastructure, this partnership includes crucial training programs for Filipino filmmakers, collaborating with local schools and universities to hone world-class skills,” she said.

Aside from financial infusion, Roque said the investment is a commitment to nurturing Filipino talent and boosting the Philippines’ creative economy.

Birns & Sawyer's CEO Mari Acevedo outlined plans for cinematography workshops, co-production grants, and continued support for initiatives like the FilAm Creative Film Festival.

“With existing operations in Quezon City and a focus on co-production opportunities, this collaboration signifies a major step towards positioning the Philippines as a premier destination for global film production,” Roque stated.

The event was attended by notable Hollywood figures, including Lisa Lew, a four-time Emmy-winning producer; David Shim, producer of the Oscar-winning film Parasite; Mark Dacascos and Tia Carrere, both prominent Filipino-American actors; and bestselling author Kevin Kwan of Crazy Rich Asians. Lawrence Bender, whose films have received 36 Academy Award nominations, also joined the discussions.