QCinema Industry Schedule

Monet Ballroom 3, Novotel Manila, Quezon City

Presented by: Film Academy of the Philippines
Supported by: Quezon City Government and the Quezon City Film Commission
In Partnership with: FilDocs, DAKILA, Active Vista, GMA Public Affairs, and ABS-CBN News

The Power of the Documentary
This opening conversation brings together some of the Philippines’ most influential truth-tellers — journalists and documentarists whose work has shaped national memory and public consciousness. The panel examines documentary as a force for truth, accountability, and civic imagination. Through lived experience on the frontlines of news and long-form storytelling, the speakers discuss how documentary becomes a tool for justice, cultural record, and emotional truth in an increasingly polarized world.

Moderator: Howie Severino (Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker)

Panelists: 

• Atom Araullo (Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, Co-founder and President of FYT Media)
• Jeff Canoy (Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, ABS CBN News and Public Affairs)
• Bryan Brazil (Director, “Lost Sabungeros”, Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, GMA News and Public Affairs)
• Ditsi Carolino (Documentary Filmmaker)

Wielding Narrative Power through Social Impact Filmmaking
This session explores how documentary filmmakers and impact producers shape narratives that inspire civic engagement, mobilize communities, and drive social change. From designing impact strategies to building cross-sector partnerships, the panel discusses the evolving role of storytelling in advocacy. Using case studies and lived experiences, the speakers unpack how documentaries move beyond the screen to influence public discourse, policy conversations, and grassroots movements.

Moderator: Leni Velasco (Co-founder and Secretary General, DAKILA)

Panelists:

• Marlon Rivera (Filmmaker, Narrative Strategist, and Artist)
• Thara Brown (Impact Producer)
• Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala (Documentary Filmmaker and President, FilDocs)

Building the Documentary Field: Funding and Distribution
A deep dive into the realities of funding and distributing documentaries across Asia. The panel examines regional and international pathways available to Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers — from festival networks and development labs to broadcasters, streamers, and impact distribution models. Speakers discuss how programmers, producers, and festival curators can collaborate to build a stronger, more sustainable documentary ecosystem, ensuring stories from the region reach both local and global audiences.

Moderator: Coreen Jimenez (Filmmaker, Co-founder FilDocs)

Panelists:

• Young Woo Kim (Programmer, Sheffield DocFest/BIFAN)
• Meninaputri Wismurti (Co-founder, 100% Manusia Film Festival and Co Festival Director, Europe on Screen)
• Armi Rae Cacanindin (Film Producer)

Monet Ballroom 3, Novotel Manila, Quezon City

Presented by: Film Academy of the Philippines
Supported by: Quezon City Government and the Quezon City Film Commission
In partnership with: French Embassies of Singapore and Manila, and Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC)

Opening & Fireside Keynote: “Gender Parity in Cinema”
This fireside chat opens HER CITY with a global-to-local dialogue on gender parity in cinema — spotlighting France’s leadership through Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) and Collectif 50/50, and Quezon City’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive film city led by women.

The discussion highlights France’s leadership in gender parity and Quezon City’s vision for a sustainable, women-led film city, featuring a dialogue on strategies and policies for equity in cinema that positions Quezon City and France as key partners in advancing systemic equity in the screen sector.

Speaker: Agnès Toullieux (Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, CNC)
Moderator: Liza Diño (Executive Director, QCFC; Managing Director, QCinema Industry)

Panel 1: Power Behind the Lens
Women Producers, Cinematographers, and Designers Re-Imagining Cinema
Women in creative and technical leadership roles discuss how their perspectives shape narratives and aesthetics. From producing and cinematography to editing and production design, the panel explores the unique impact of women’s authorship in cinema.

Moderator: Monster Jimenez

Panelists:

• Tey Clamor, LPS (Cinematographer, Philippines)
• Dominique Welinski (Producer, France)
• Nguyen Phan Linh Dan (Cinematographer, Vietnam)

Panel 2: Women Leading Creative Cities
Film Commissions & Festivals Driving Inclusive Policy
Female leaders of film commissions and festivals share how policy and city-building can be feminist, inclusive, and sustainable—aimed at catalyzing a Women’s Creative Cities Consortium.

Moderator: Jeremy Segay

Panelists:

• Liza Diño (Executive Director, QCFC, Philippines)
• Vivian Idris (Jakarta Film Commission)
• Lorna Tee (Asian Film Alliance Network)

Panel 3: Actresses as Agents of Change
Women in Front of the Camera Leading the Narrative
Celebrated actresses from Southeast Asia share their experiences of negotiating agency, representation, and influence within their careers. This dialogue highlights how performers are reshaping women’s roles on screen and pushing back against entrenched stereotypes.

Moderator: Aya Fernandez (Philippines)

Panelists:

• Qymira (Hong Kong, Philippines)
• Kaity Nguyen (Vietnam)
• Iza Calzado (Aktor PH President)

Panel 4: Women Film Programmers Roundtable
Curating Global Taste, Building Women’s Voices
Women programmers from international film festivals exchange insights on how programming choices shape cultural narratives, amplify women’s voices, and support gender parity.

Moderator: Katrina Tan (Pelikultura, Philippines)

Panelists:

• Kiki Fung (Programmer, Hong Kong/Brisbane)
• Sung Moon (Programmer, Jeonju Film Festival)
• Irene Soriano (Sundance Film Festival)
• Rina Damayanti (Jakarta Film Week)

Panel 5: Women Who Greenlight
CEOs and Industry Leaders
Women executives who shape Philippine and Southeast Asian content production discuss the power of women in decision-making roles. How do priorities shift when women lead studios, networks, and production houses?

Moderator: Liz Shackleton (Deadline Hollywood)

Panelists:

• Bianca Parkes (Neon, USA)
• Madonna Tarrayo (UXS Inc., Philippines)
• Bianca Balbuena (Epicmedia, Philippines)
• Fumie Lancaster (SC Films International, London)

Co-production • Development • Global Partnerships

QPM is QCinema Industry’s flagship platform—supporting top Southeast Asian and Filipino narrative projects and connecting them with global producers, labs, funds, and decision-makers.

Program Components

• Opening Ceremony + Public Pitch
• Closed-door project meetings
• One-on-one consultations
• Networking receptions
• QPM Awards Night

QPM pushes Southeast Asian stories from development to international co-production, positioning Quezon City as a serious global market player.

Guillem Meeting Rooms, Ibis Styles Manila, Quezon City

Presented by: Film Academy of the Philippines
Supported by: Quezon City Government and the Quezon City Film Commission

Opening Keynote and Dialogue
Cinema Works Because Workers Do: Workforce Development for a Film City 

Speaker: Hon. Joy Belmonte (Mayor of Quezon City)
Special Dialogue with: Paolo Villaluna (Director General, Film Academy of the Philippines)

The opening keynote reframes Southeast Asian cinema by centering the people who make films possible — the crew, guilds, artisans, and laborers whose craft sustains production. Mayor Joy Belmonte and Director General Paolo Villaluna outline a shared city-to-nation vision for workforce development, guild strengthening, labor equity, and the policies needed to build a resilient and inclusive film city. This keynote sets the tone for the Forum’s focus on labor, craft, and sustainable creative ecosystems.

Panel 1: Guilds in Action: Professionalizing the Film Workforce
This roundtable foregrounds the essential role of guilds and professional associations in elevating industry standards. The panel tackles guild organizing, collective bargaining, training pipelines, and the Eddie Garcia Law — addressing safety, fair compensation, and long-term labor dignity. Together, the speakers envision a professionalized Southeast Asian workforce capable of thriving in a global creative economy.

Moderator: Manet Dayrit (QCinema Film Foundation President)

Panelists:

• Paolo Villaluna (Director General, Film Academy of the Philippines)
• Patti Lapus (Philippine Independent Producers Guild)
• Giancarlo Abrahan (Filipino Screenwriters Guild)
• Benjamin Padero (Production Designers Circle of the Philippines)
• Evangeline Torcino (Philippine Talents Guild, Inc.)
   

Panel 2 – Hyperlocal Voices, Global Impact 
The most resonant global stories often begin in local soil. Regional filmmakers discuss how deeply rooted narratives — anchored in place, culture, community, and lived experience — travel across borders and connect emotionally with global audiences. This panel highlights the power of specificity, authenticity, and regional identity in elevating Southeast Asian cinema.

Moderator: Jason Tan Liwag (Programmer, QCinema International Film Festival)

Panelists:

• Glenn Barit (Filmmaker)
• Rodiell Veloso (Writer-Director)
• Kristine de Leon (Producer)
• Keith Deligero (Filmmaker & Producer)

Panel 3 – Southeast Asian Genre Directors
From horror and thrillers to dark fantasy and supernatural drama, Southeast Asia is at the forefront of genre reinvention. Directors from across the region discuss how they fuse genre conventions with cultural mythologies, political realities, and local sensibilities — creating films that are both globally accessible and uniquely Southeast Asian. The panel examines craft, world-building, and the evolution of regional genre cinema.

Moderator: Thomas Nam (Programmer, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN))

Panelists:

• Wi Ding Ho (Director, Taiwan/Malaysia)
• Dodo Dayao (Director, Philippines)
• Pedring Lopez (Director, Philippines)
• Robby Razka (Director, Indonesia)

Panel 4 – Financing Futures: Co-Productions & Treaties 
A practical guide to activating the Philippines–France Co-Production Treaty and navigating co-production models across Southeast Asia and Europe. Producers share real case studies, financial structures, collaboration frameworks, and challenges in building multi-country partnerships. This session demystifies treaties and provides a roadmap for producers seeking sustainable, culturally aligned international co-productions.

Moderator: Philbert Dy (Head of Publications, QCinema International Film Festival)

Panelists:

• Franck Priot (Producer & CEO, Ghosts City Films)
• Armi Cacanindin (Producer & Founder, Popple Pictures)
• Daniel Tenne (Producer & Co-Founder, 70 STEPS)
• Sophia Sim (Producer, Momo Film Co)
• Michael J. Werner (Producer, MJW Film & Media Consultants)
• Mai Hoai Nguyen Tuan Anh (Producer, Kontribute Studio)

Panel 5 – Mapping the Asian Film Festival Circuit
Leading festival programmers unpack how Asian film festivals shape cultural perception and discovery. The panel explores programming philosophies, selection strategies, balancing auteur and emerging voices, and championing new forms of storytelling. The session highlights how festivals can collaborate to strengthen visibility and critical pathways for Southeast Asian films.

Moderator: Sungho Park (Busan IFF)

Panelists:

• Jacob Wong (HKIFF Industry)
• Young Woo Kim (Sheffield DocFest/BIFAN)
• Sean Chadwell (Blue Chair/Luang Prabang IFF)
• Donsaron Kovitvanitcha (Bangkok IFF)

Panel 6 – Redefining Asian Film Markets – Building a Home for Asian Films
Industry leaders imagine a more interconnected Asian film market — one that supports regional distribution, cross-border financing, and a shared sense of creative economy. This panel pushes the question: How do we build our own market pipelines, instead of relying solely on Western structures? Speakers outline pathways to strengthen Southeast Asia’s collective market identity.

Moderator: Brad Liew

Panelists: 

• Liza Diño (QCinema Project Market)
• Nattapon Suwanpayom (Creative Economy Agency)
• Jacob Wong (HKIFF Industry)
   

Panel 7 – Roundtable: QPM SEA Producers – The State of Regional 
Co-Productions
Producers across Southeast Asia reflect on the evolving landscape of regional co-production. The conversation addresses shifting political climates, access to funding, regional funds, cross-border collaboration, and the need for long-term sustainability without overdependence on European grants—a candid, practical examination of the region’s co-production realities.

Moderator: Patti Lapus

Panelists:

• Awat Ratanapintha (Actor-producer, Thailand)
• Napakarn Boontarig (Producer, Thailand)
• Laura Mam (Producer, Cambodia)
• Thy Trang (Producer, Vietnam)
• Pyae Zaw Phyo (Producer, Myanmar)
• Lies Supangkat (Producer, Indonesia)

Case Study: Magellan
“Magellan” represents an ambitious Southeast Asian co-production that united filmmakers across borders and found a strong international trajectory. This session breaks down the creative process, logistical challenges, and financing model of the project — offering valuable lessons for producers pursuing multi-country collaborations.

Moderator: Wilfredo Manalang (Founder & Producer, FUSEE)

Speaker: Paul Soriano (Producer, Philippines)

Guillem Meeting Rooms, Ibis Styles Manila, Quezon City | Van Gogh Room, Novotel Manila

Presented by: Film Academy of the Philippines
Supported by: Quezon City Government and the Quezon City Film Commission

Masterclass: Screenwriting
A 4-hour intensive session on writing screenplays with Satyanshu Singh that balances local authenticity with global appeal. Participants will explore narrative structure, character depth, and strategies for scripts to resonate in both regional and international markets.

Instructor: Satyanshu Singh (Screenwriter)

Masterclass: Sound Design for Storytelling (Sunshine)
Led by Vincent Villa of Kongchak Studios (Cambodia), this session unpacks how sound shapes mood, tension, and emotion in cinema. From design to final mix, participants gain insights into creating immersive sonic worlds.

Instructor: Vincent Villa (Sound Designer)

Workshop: Virtual Production for Independent Filmmakers 
An introduction to virtual production pipelines tailored for Southeast Asia. Using case studies and demo workflows, participants learn how to maximize VP for low and mid-budget projects.

Instructor: Micah Fernandez (Virtual Production Producer)

Workshop: Production Design as World-Building 
Led by the Production Designers Circle of the Philippines, this workshop highlights the art and craft of creating visual environments that anchor stories in believable worlds. Topics include research, collaboration, and designing for regional identity.

Instructor: Eero Yves Francisco (Production Designer)

Workshop: Navigating Co-Productions with France
With the new France–Philippines Co-Production Treaty, Franck Priot (Ghosts City Films, France) breaks down how producers can access French and European funding. This hands-on workshop clarifies eligibility, benefits, and strategies for Southeast Asian filmmakers to build sustainable partnerships with France.

Instructor: Franck Priot (CEO & Producer, Ghosts City Films)

Masterclass: Programming the Asian New Wave
NYAFF’s Samuel Jamier shares insights on programming Asian cinema for global audiences—celebrating both auteur and genre voices. He explores how festivals can champion Asian identity and bridge East–West cinematic perspectives for greater U.S. and international visibility.

Instructor: Samuel Jamier of NYAFF (President, New York Asian Film Festival)

Distribution Futures: Regional & Global Pathways
A clear-eyed look at IP, international sales, distribution models, theatrical alternatives, and the changing global marketplace.

Facilitator: Sed Arce (Distribution and IP Management Head, CreaZion Studios Inc.)

Opening Remarks

Speaker: Hon. Joy Belmonte (Mayor of Quezon City)

THE JOURNEY OF QUEZON CITY AS A CREATIVE CITY OF FILM
A reflective, behind-the-scenes look at how Quezon City built the policies, institutions, and ecosystem that led to its UNESCO Creative City of Film designation. This panel gathers the key individuals who shaped the city’s cultural vision, creative governance frameworks, and film-driven development strategies.

Moderator: Paulo Mercado (Creative Economy Council of the Philippines)

Speakers:

• Liza Diño (Executive Director, QCFC; Managing Director, QCinema Industry)
• Paolo Villaluna (Director General, Film Academy of the Philippines)
• Ed Lejano (Artistic Director, QCinema International Film Festival)
• Manet Dayrit (QCinema Film Foundation President)
• Atty. Gio Gomez (DTI - Creative Industries Development Program Management Unit)
• Dr. Ivan Henares (Secretary-General of UNACOM)
• Coun. Alfred Vargas (Quezon City, Fifth District Councilor)

FAP Guild Summit: Film Academy of the Philippines Stakeholder Update
The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), newly established as the government agency mandated to professionalize, develop, and support the nation’s film workforce, convenes the country’s recognized stakeholder guilds for a focused briefing designed to guide and inform guilds on how they may approach the Academy’s upcoming and current programs, processes, and points of coordination moving forward. This session provides a clear overview of the Academy’s core mandates alongside clarifications on outstanding logistical items. 
The session will also introduce the Division Chiefs responsible for carrying out these mandates, giving guilds a clear understanding of the Academy’s organizational structure and the designated officers for coordination. In addition, the Academy will present a concise report on accomplishments to date, outlining early milestones, ongoing efforts, and the groundwork laid in the rollout of its initial programs. This engagement aims to strengthen shared understanding, ensure transparency, and foster a more coherent and productive working relationship between the Academy and the guild community as partners in building a more equitable, professional, and sustainable film industry.

Led by:

• Paolo Villaluna, Director General, Film Academy of the Philippines
• Guild Presidents & Representatives

Case Study: Anora
From festival breakout to global distribution, Anora offers a roadmap for how an independent film can achieve international success.

Moderator: Bianca Balbuena
Speaker: Bianca Parkes (EVP & Executive Creative Director, NEON)

International Case Studies
The Philippine Independent Producers Guild hosts this panel with producers who will speak about their experiences in international co-productions.  We will hear from the producers of The Garden of Earthly Delights, Aswang, Elsewhere Night, Plan 75, Renoir, Some Nights I Feel Like Walking, Divine Factory and 10s Across the Borders.  These productions range from small documentary projects to huge, multi-national co-productions.  We will find out how they navigated through the complicated processes involved in acquiring funding for their films, dealing with international partners and fulfilling all their varied requirements and expectations while maintaining the artistic vision of their respective directors. 

Moderator: Danzen Santos Katanyag (CEO & Co-Founder, Digital Dreams International)

Panelists:

• Stefano Centini (Founder & Producer, Volos Films)
• Armi Cacanindin (Founder & Producer, Popple Pictures)
• Wilfredo Manalang (Founder & Producer, FUSEE)
• Alemberg Ang (Founder & Producer, Daluyong Studios)

A Private Roundtable Discussion: Sustaining International Co-Productions (Best Practices for Producers)
This closed-door roundtable discussion brings together experienced producers from the Philippines and international partners for a candid and practical discussion on best practices in international co-productions and strategies to make producing films and series sustainable — financially, creatively, and personally. The goal is to exchange insights, identify challenges and actionable solutions that strengthen cross-border collaborations, especially among producers working across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Moderator: Monster Jimenez (Founder & Producer, This Side Up)

Panelists:

• Alemberg Ang (Founder & Producer, Daluyong Studios)
• Bianca Balbuena (Chief Operating & Finance Officer, Epicmedia Productions Inc)
• Stefano Centini (Founder & Producer, Volos Films)
• Fumie Lancaster (Producer & Director of International Sales and Marketing, SC Films International)
• Wilfredo Manalang (Founder & Producer, FUSEE)
• Madonna Tarrayo (CEO, UXS Inc.)
• Tanya Yuson (Founding partner & Chief Creative Development, BASE Entertainment)

Special Program – La Fabrique: Accessing Global Platforms
La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut Français has been a gateway for Southeast Asian and global filmmakers to Cannes visibility. This session unpacks the submission process, mentorship opportunities, and long-term benefits of participation.

Moderator: Armi Rae Cacanindin (Founder & Producer, Popple Pictures)

Panelists:

• Gabrielle Béroff-Gallard (Head, La Fabrique)
• Monster Jimenez (Producer, "Daughters of the Sea")
• Martika Escobar (Director, "Daughters of the Sea")
• Kristine de Leon  (Producer, "Ria")
• Arvin Belarmino  (Director, "Ria")