By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos has called on the Philippine film industry to rally behind a renewed vision of showcasing Filipino talent on the world stage, emphasizing the importance of unleashing Filipino talent on the global stage as she witnessed the opening of the temporary office of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).
She emphasized that marketing the Filipino creative industry abroad is crucial not only for the advancement of Filipino filmmakers but also for the promotion of national pride.
“There are so many prestigious film festivals across the globe, such as Cannes and Sundance. Here in the Philippines, we have the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF),” the First Lady remarked.
“The key is for industry stakeholders to come together, discuss, and explore ways to uplift the local film industry. It’s really about awareness and education,” she added.
Prominent creative industry professional Greg Garcia echoed the First Lady’s sentiments, pointing out the remarkable influence of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the globe.
“OFWs are running the world right now. Their influence spans across industries, and that includes the global film landscape. Some of the best professionals in the movie industry are Filipinos, but they remain one of the best-kept secrets,” Garcia remarked.
Mr. Garcia emphasized that “the time is ripe for the Philippines to send its best talents and films to the international stage,” an opportunity to raise the bar for the Philippine film industry.
The overarching theme of the campaign, “Give the World Our Best,” calls on the Philippine creative industry to unite and take full advantage of international platforms.
By promoting local talent and producing world-class films, Filipinos would not only elevate the nation’s film industry but also contribute to the country’s cultural pride and identity. (With report from Toby Nebrida/PTV News)
-av