LIGHTS, CAMERA, COLLABORATION: 28th French Film Festival Launches New Era of French–Philippine Co-Productions

The 28th French Film Festival marks a historic milestone in Philippine and French cinema as it unveils the inaugural French–Philippine Co-Production Conference, a two-day industry platform designed to catalyze new partnerships, investments, and joint film projects between the two countries.

The two-day event was recently held at SMX Aura, BGC, Taguig City. ,The conference serves as the first major initiative following the signing of the France–Philippines Film Co-Production Agreement during the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2025, by Gaëtan Bruel, President of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), and Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, Chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

 

Strengthening Bilateral Creative Ties

French-Philippine film cooperation has long been a dynamic component of bilateral relations, with Filipino filmmakers increasingly gaining prominence at international festivals and participating in prestigious workshops such as La Fabrique organized by the Institut Français in Cannes and the Cinéfondation of the Cannes Film Festival. Over the years, Filipino productions have benefitted from French producer support and grants including Fonds Sud Cinéma and the Aide au Cinéma du Monde, enabling numerous projects to reach global audiences.

 

A Landmark Agreement Signed in Cannes

The signing of the co-production agreement now formalizes and expands these opportunities, allowing Filipino producers and directors to access French funding mechanisms, grants, tax incentives, talent networks, and distribution channels, strengthening both creative and commercial pathways. French Ambassador Marie Fontanel delivered the opening remarks, noting that this marks a new era for French–Filipino cinema. FDCP Chairman Jose Javier Reyes and DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Maria Andrelita S. Austria also gave special messages emphasizing that the collaboration enriches cultural ties while supporting creative industries and economic growth.

 

Spotlight on Award-Winning Filipino Works

The sessions highlighted acclaimed works such as Brillante Mendoza’s Serbis and Kinatay, which earned the Best Director award in Cannes in 2010, Avid Liongoren’s Saving Sally, and projects produced by Bianca Balbuena including Above the Clouds with Pepe Diokno and Filipiniana with Rafael Mendoza. The roundtable also featured industry insights from line producer Martin Arnaldo on De Sang et d’Argent.

 

French Support Systems and Producer Partnerships

This was followed by a comprehensive presentation of the French Cinema Support System and the implementation framework of the co-production agreement with the Philippines, delivered by Michel Plazanet, Deputy Director for International Affairs at CNC. The afternoon sessions continued with a discussion on applying the agreement in practice, featuring perspectives from the production of Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, and concluded with a French Producers’ Panel that introduced the companies, filmographies, and future projects of Franck Priot, Angele de Lorme, Natacha Devilliers, Francois Belot, and Xenia Maingot, setting the stage for active development collaboration.

 

Pitching, Panels, and Premiere of Elsewhere at Night with French Actress Garance Marillier

The second day of the conference centered on project development activities, beginning with one-on-one pitch-dating sessions between French producers and Filipino filmmakers. The program continued with a panel discussion and projection of Elsewhere at Night, a Filipino–Canadian co-production featuring French actress Garance Marillier alongside Filipino cast members Sue Prado, Kyrie Allison, Enchong Dee, and producer Wilfredo Manalang.

 

From Cannes to Manila: Call My Manager Takes the Spotlight

Another highly anticipated session is Call My Manager, the Filipino adaptation of the hit French series Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent). The casting of the Philippine version includes actor Edu Manzano, actress and singer Judy Ann Santos, and a panel discussion ensued with director and producer Erik Matti.

 

Red Carpet Finale and Gala Screening with Renowned French Actress Garance Marillier

The conference will conclude with a closing ceremony followed by a red carpet reception and gala screening of Dix Pour Cent x Call My Manager in the presence of distinguished guests featuring French actress Garance Marillier and director Brillante Mendoza, celebrating the strengthened cultural and professional bridge between the two film industries.

 

Creative Economy Impact

Beyond cultural exchange, the co-production agreement is expected to generate significant economic impact, with increased foreign investment in Philippine film production, job creation in creative and technical sectors, enhanced international distribution opportunities for Filipino content, and strengthened positioning of the Philippines as a competitive production hub in Asia. The platform also fosters cross-border knowledge transfer and talent mobility, supporting the growth of the broader creative economy.

 

Presented by Leading Cultural Institutions

The Co-Production Conference is presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.

 

For the 28th French Film Festival at SM Aura and SM City Manila schedules and information, visit the French Embassy’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyPH