CEBU CITY – Dapitan will get global exposure after four short films that will be shown in an international film festival were shot in the city known as the “Shrine City of the Philippines.”

DIRECTORS and crew get together after shooting four films in Dapitan City for the Cannes Film Festival in France. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)

The short four films will be screened at the Directors’ Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival in France. The shooting of the four films was done in partnership with the Epicmedia Group, Cannes Frances, and the city government of Dapitan. 

The four films showcased four leading Filipino film directors together with their counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.

The shooting of the four films in Dapitan will help cement the city’s status as the most-visited place in Zamboanga Peninsula, said Apple Marie Agolong, the city’s tourism officer.

“Dapitan City does not only promote and market its place as sports tourism capital in Zamboanga Peninsula and a heritage place with rich natural wonders but also as a place where movies and films are being shot following a number of movies being filmed here,” said Agolong.

Dapitan has been giving a big boost to the country’s film industry.

Agolong recalled that in 2022, the city hosted  Cinemalaya where all directors with entry films together with their actors and actresses stayed in Dapitan.

“They spent four days here and did a lot of workshops and community immersions. It was the first time that Cinemalaya did a series of activities outside Metro Manila,” said Agolong.

In 2023, Dapitan also held the “Sine Norte.”

“Sine Norte was an offshoot of Cinemalaya which showed talented local film makers in the province,” said Agolong.