Bacolod Film Festival grants 100,000 pesos to nine local filmmakers

Nine local filmmakers have been selected to receive production grants of 100,000 pesos each for the upcoming 3rd Bacolod Film Festival. Scheduled for November 27 to 29, the festival follows the theme ‘Pag-angot: Celebrating Heritage, Shaping Our Future,’ aiming to highlight the traditions, communities, and cultural landscape of Bacolod.

The grants will be distributed in two tranches and are accompanied by workshops and script mentoring sessions. Each selected short film, lasting between 15 and 20 minutes, must incorporate three to five heritage markers, such as historical landmarks, local traditions, or culinary highlights.

Festival Director Tanya Lopez noted the importance of visually documenting these elements as the urban landscape changes. Mayor Greg Gasataya highlighted the city's support for the creative sector through City Ordinance 1061 and the G-Hive creative industry hub, which offers filmmakers access to studio spaces and equipment.