Quezon City, know as the country's "City of Stars", has officially bid to become a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Film, aiming to elevate its standing in the global film industry, Mayor Joy Belmonte announced on Wednesday.
The local government said that this ambitious initiative underscores the city's rich cinematic heritage and continued commitment to fostering creativity, protecting cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive development.
Mayor Belmonte, who is also chairperson of the Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC), emphasized the importance of the bid.
"Becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Film is not just a recognition of our past achievements but an opportunity to redefine our future in the global film community," she said.
The city government stated that QC is known as the "City of Stars” and has played a crucial role in influencing the history of the Philippine film industry.
Recognized national artists for film, such as Lino Brocka and Fernando Poe Jr., have all rooted their creative endeavors in the city.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the film industry's golden era, QC was the foundation of major studios like Sampaguita Pictures and LVN Pictures, producing nearly 300 films annually.
The city remains the central hub for filmmaking in the Philippines, housing the country's highest concentration of production companies and screen enterprises.
The bid aligns with the Philippine Creative Economy Roadmap 2030, which envisions the Philippines as the leading creative economy in Southeast Asia.
The city government said the city's film industry generated USD 37 million in local film revenues over the two years of 2022-2023, with 130 registered screen businesses, six national broadcast networks, and nearly 100 cinemas.
The QCFC has been at the forefront of this initiative, working closely with stakeholders from the city government, academia, film guilds, cultural sectors, and civil society, the local government said.
Meanwhile, the executive director of the QCFC, Liza Dino, expressed her enthusiasm for the bid.
"I am truly honored to have been entrusted by our dear mayor to take the lead in applying Quezon City as a Creative City of Film. Quezon City's bid to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) underscores our commitment to recognizing our workers as the heart of our thriving global film industry,” she said.
“To achieve excellence, we must create a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures both creators and workers. With the landmark Eddie Garcia Law, which sets sector-specific standards for safety, health, and working conditions, we are poised to build an industry that truly values its workforce,” she added.
QC's commitment to the film industry
The city government said that its commitment to the film industry is reflected in its numerous film festivals, educational programs, and cultural spaces.
It added that the Quezon City International Film Festival (QCIFF) also known as QCinema, is now in its 12th edition and has been the country's most prominent international film festival, screening nearly 1,000 local and international titles since its inception.
The city has also hosted significant festivals such as the PeliKULAYa LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, the Metro Manila Film Festival, and Kinofest by Goethe-Institute.
Some educational institutions like the Mowelfund Film Institute and the Asia Pacific Film Institute also provide technical and vocational training opportunities, ensuring that the city's film workforce remains skilled and adaptable.
In addition, a partnership with Arri Academy and CMB Film Services, Inc., the country’s biggest equipment rental company, also organizes camera training and lighting workshops.
"This bid represents the collective effort of all stakeholders in Quezon City's film industry, showing our commitment to fostering creativity, protecting cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive development," Manet Dayrit, QCinema Film Foundation president and head of Asian Next Wave Film Forum, said.
Securing the UNESCO designation is expected to bring significant benefits, including enhanced global reputation, increased investment, and elevated industry standards.
On August 30, the QCFC submitted the application to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the UNESCO National Commission to the Philippines (UNACOM) for pre-selection. Two candidates will be chosen to represent the Philippines in next year's bid.
It encouraged the public to join them in supporting Quezon City's bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Film.
“Together, we can continue to foster a thriving film industry that honors the past, embraces the present, and shapes the future,” the local government stated.