Dapitan City, Philippines — November 10, 2024
Months after their production in Dapitan City, four short films that premiered in the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival were brought back to the city for a special screening on November 10. This event marked the culmination of an international collaboration under the Directors’ Factory Philippines, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia since the program’s launch in 2013 in Taiwan.
Directors’ Factory, the collaborative initiative of QCinema and the Quezon City Film Commission, in partnership with the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, selects and mentors emerging filmmakers from the host country and other nations, pairing them to create new short films. This year, the program debuted at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, showcasing films developed with the mentorship of acclaimed director Lav Diaz.
The four short films screened in Dapitan included “Walay Balay” by Eve Baswel (Philippines) and Gogularaajan Rajendran (Malaysia); “Nightbirds” by Maria Estela Paiso (Philippines) and Ashok Vish (India); “Silig” by Arvin Belarmino (Philippines) and Lomorpich Rithy (Cambodia); and “Cold Cut” by Don Eblahan (Philippines) and Tan Siyou (Singapore), with many cast members from Dapitan City.
The project’s location was chosen through the efforts of Epic Media CEO Bianca Valbuena and her connections with Svetlana “Lana” Jalosjos, President of Dakak Resort and Properties. Valbuena, a longtime mentee of Directors’ Factory founder Dominique Berthe Welinski, saw Dapitan’s rich cultural heritage as an ideal backdrop. Welinski, a French director and film curator overseeing the project, was captivated by Dapitan’s historical significance as the exile site of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero.
City officials and local stakeholders expressed immense pride in hosting the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight program. Mayor Seth Frederick Bullet-Jalosjos emphasized the city’s commitment to nurturing local talent and promoting film tourism as part of its broader goals in sports, culture, and heritage. He hopes that such initiatives will attract more creative ventures to the city, enhancing economic and cultural opportunities for residents of Dapitan and Zamboanga del Norte.
Svetlana Jalosjos-De Leon, RomGarJal Group President, acknowledged the extensive community support, highlighting the contributions of various barangays, the City Tourism office, and RomGarJal Group employees. She expressed her vision of establishing Dapitan as a cultural and artistic hub in the region, aiming to create long-term growth for local arts, heritage, and the burgeoning film tourism sector.
Following the screening, a fellowship dinner hosted by Dakak Resort and Properties showcased local artisans and featured a mini exhibit with regional delicacies, including artisanal chocolate displays and locally made “chicharon,” giving attendees a taste of Dapitan’s unique flavors.
The Cannes Film Festival, renowned as one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events, attracts global attention each year with its celebration of artistic innovation and excellence in film. With Dapitan now a part of this illustrious tradition, the city looks forward to building on this cultural milestone to further elevate its status as a destination for arts and tourism in the Philippines.
