The Film Development Council of the Philippines recently co-hosted the first Academic Film Society meeting for 2025 with iACADEMY.
The event gathered representatives from universities, colleges and high schools across the country that offer film education programs.
This initiative highlights the FDCP’s commitment to developing the future of Philippine cinema.
The agency aims to empower students through workshops, financial aid and other support to help them hone their filmmaking skills.
The AFS, led by the FDCP, is a program that builds a nationwide network of student filmmakers.
It also seeks to integrate film into academic programs and train educators on how to use film effectively in the classroom.
Held at iACADEMY’s multipurpose hall, the meeting served as a venue for dialogue and collaboration.
Discussions centered on the FDCP’s plans and programs for the first half of 2025, focused on benefiting AFS member schools and their students.
iACADEMY President and Chief Operating Officer Raquel Perez-Wong welcomed participants and stressed the importance of the gathering.
“Today, we come together not just as individuals but as a thriving community of filmmakers, educators and visionaries dedicated to shaping the future of Philippine cinema,” Wong said.
She expressed hope the event would inspire new collaborations, bold storytelling and a shared appreciation for the unifying art of film.
FDCP Chairman and CEO Jose Javier “Direk Joey” Reyes thanked schools and educators for their support and stressed the importance of education in sustaining the film industry.
He emphasized the AFS’s role in bridging academic learning and practical experience, and in helping students find their voices through filmmaking.
FDCP Project Development Officer Korina Dela Cruz presented AFS-supported activities such as talks, workshops and student film festivals.
She also outlined the FDCP’s benefits for AFS members.
FDCP Exhibition Division Head Jeanivieve Lopez-Marcos encouraged subscriptions to JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel and promoted film-related events with educational components to foster film literacy nationwide.
An open forum, moderated by FDCP Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages Seymour Sanchez, addressed membership benefits, concerns and school alignment with the FDCP’s 2025 calendar.
Participants shared best practices in film education and explored collaboration opportunities on school projects.
The event ended with a renewed commitment from FDCP and its partner schools to strengthen film education across the country.
The FDCP continues to invite schools and student film groups to join the AFS and be part of a growing network dedicated to Philippine cinema.
