Acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza is among those not happy with the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) not submitting an entry to the foreign film category of the 2022 Oscars.
He told us in a recent interview: “May pagkukulang sila (FAP) doon.”
“Pero ‘wag tayo basta maghusga. I’m sure there’s a good reason behind it,” he added.
Brillante reiterated, “Yes, I’m sad about it. I’m part of the industry and it’s (Oscars) a big deal for me na mabigyan tayo ng puwang doon but to be clear, it’s not an easy process. Picking an entry and submitting it for Oscar consideration, first step pa lang ‘yun and it is the easiest.”
According to Brillante, there are over 10, 000 Academy members all over the world and we have to reach out to every single one of them if we want to "earn consideration."
"And you need money for that," he stated.
"But the reality is, it still doesn’t guarantee inclusion in the final list. It's a huge undertaking."
But it’s all water under the bridge.
The Oscars already released the list of eligible films for the said category last Dec. 6.
The 15 finalists will be announced on Dec. 21, and the final five nominees will be named in February next year.
Recently, the Directors Guild Of The Philippines (DGPI) expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity via social media.
The FAP, as led by Vivian Velez, has released a statement on the issue via Facebook, Tuesday.
It read: “The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) would like to address the disappointment of DGPI regarding the missed opportunity of sending an entry to the OSCARS for 2021.
“Unlike other government agencies, the FAP never had guaranteed funding but solely relied on contributions from MMDA through the Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Because of the pandemic, the only funding stream dried up quickly in early 2020.
“Despite of this, the FAP, through other funded agencies, continued working on programs especially relating to helping and supporting members who had lost their monthly income."
It then echoed Brillante, adding, “Organizing and vetting an entry to the OSCARS is not an inexpensive and simple process.
“FAP is equally disappointed but had to deal with the realities of today.
“Perhaps, FAP is navigating under antiquated set of rules that must be updated.
“FAP is open to change since we feel that it may not be a bad idea, after all.
“If DGPI feels disenfranchised by FAP' s failure, then, FAP is open for a dialogue with anyone about this.”