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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Third Bacolod Film Festival launched, seeks original live-actions movies

Third Bacolod Film Festival launched, seeks original live-actions movies

Published Aug 4, 2026 09:52 pm
MAYOR Greg Gasataya (center) is joined by Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion head Mae Llamas and Councilor Em Ang (second and third from left, respectively), together with festival director Tanya Lopez (right), during the launching of the Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) 2026 on Monday, Aug. 3. (Bacolod City Communications Office)
MAYOR Greg Gasataya (center) is joined by Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion head Mae Llamas and Councilor Em Ang (second and third from left, respectively), together with festival director Tanya Lopez (right), during the launching of the Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) 2026 on Monday, Aug. 3. (Bacolod City Communications Office)
BACOLOD CITY – This highly-urbanized city officially launched the third Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) on Monday, Aug. 3, with organizers calling on local filmmakers to create original live-action films that highlight this city's rich cultural heritage.
The city government encouraged participants to submit entries from Aug. 3 to 31 during the launching at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Films must feature three to five recognizable heritage elements, such as historical landmarks, traditions, festivals, food culture, communities, and other cultural assets.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said this year's festival with the theme "Pag-angot: Celebrating Heritage, Shaping Our Future" aims to inspire filmmakers to preserve Bacolod's identity through stories that promote inclusivity and innovation.
The festival will select eight to 10 finalists, each receiving a P100,000 production grant released in two tranches.
Participants will undergo script consultations, workshops, and production mentoring before premiering their completed films during the festival on Nov. 27 to 29.
The competition is open to Bacolod-based filmmakers, with directors and at least half of their production teams registered voters and residents of the city. Most filming locations must also be within the city.
Councilor Em Ang said the festival continues to strengthen the city's creative industry by giving local filmmakers opportunities to showcase their work locally and internationally.
Ang, author of City Ordinance No. 1061, Series of 2024, which established the BFF, said the city is steadily gaining recognition for its creative industry as she pursues her vision of making Bacolod a center for filmmaking.
BFF Director Tanya Lopez described the festival as a way to document Bacolod's changing landscape and preserve its history for future generations through film.
The city expanded support for creatives through the G-Hive and The Studio, a multimedia hub launched in June.
Gasataya added that Bacolod will host the first Metro Manila Film Festival Parade and Roadshow outside Metro Manila on Dec. 11.

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