The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, January 24, approved on first reading the proposed ordinance creating the Bacolod Film Festival with an appropriation of P10 million annually to mount the event.
The proposed ordinance filed by Councilor Em Ang states that the festival aims to develop the film production scene in Bacolod where locally-made films are shown in major cinemas in the city.
It also aims to promote the local film industry, provide a venue for showcasing artistic talents, and enhance cultural appreciation.
The proposed ordinance also seeks the creation of a Bacolod City Film Festival Council headed by the mayor and the SP Committee Chairperson on History, and Culture as the vice chair.
With the creation of the film festival, it will give a P300,000 subsidy to each of 10 Bacoleño filmmakers to create their films that will premiere at the event.
A quarterly film workshop will also be conducted every year, which will also be one of the qualifications for a filmmaker to have a grant from the festival council.
The festival will also give 15 awards that will be selected by 30 jurors.
The proposed ordinance also said that the event would commence every first day of June and will run for two weeks, where cinemas operating in Bacolod will only screen the films in competition during the festival.*