The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Tirso Cruz 3rd, has unveiled an array of programs and initiatives for the first quarter of 2024, reaffirming its dedication to fostering the growth of the Philippine film industry. Among these initiatives, one notable highlight is the active involvement of The Manila Times College Subic, marking a significant step in empowering aspiring filmmakers in Central Luzon.

The programs which kick off beginning this month are as follows:

Sine Sinta: Pag-ibig at Pelikula 2024 kicks off the lineup in February, offering a platform for Filipino romance films to shine across various venues, including Ayala Malls Trinoma, The Metropolitan Theater, FDCP Cinematheque Centres, and JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel. As part of this event, a Film Talk featuring contemporary Filipino filmmakers is set to take place at the FDCP Cinematheque Centre Manila.

In an effort to cultivate storytelling skills among students, the FDCP collaborates with the Academic Film Society (AFS) to conduct a Film Production Workshop on Story Development at West Visayas State University, Iloilo, on February 22 and 23. This workshop aims to equip emerging Filipino filmmakers with essential narrative development techniques.

Meanwhile, the Mowelfund x FDCP Workshop on Cinematography, led by esteemed filmmakers Raymond Red and Danton Wieneke, offers college students a series of theoretical and technical sessions until March 9, aimed at honing their skills in cinematography-related fields.

The Full Circle Lab Philippines 6th Edition, scheduled for March 18 to 24 at Quest Plus Conference Center, Pampanga, provides invaluable support to Filipino and Southeast Asian film projects in various stages of development and production.

March is dedicated to celebrating National Women's Month with "Cine Filipina," a showcase of women-centered narratives in both local and international films. This event aims to shine a spotlight on the contributions of female directors, producers, and writers to the film industry.

Come March 6, "FDCP Presents: A Curation of World Cinema" will commence, treating audiences nationwide to a selection of restored classics and contemporary acclaimed films from around the globe. April brings "Action! Spotlight" to FDCP Cinematheque Centers, featuring a retrospective of acclaimed Filipino filmmakers complemented by insightful Q&A sessions.

As part of its commitment to nurturing young talent, FDCP launches the Student Film Assistance Program Cycle 1 of 2024 in April, offering financial support to Filipino student filmmakers for their thesis films and capstone projects, along with a Masterclass on Film Production.

The highlight in April is "Making Movies: TMTCS-FDCP Film School Workshop Series Year 2," held at The Manila Times College Subic Campus in Zambales. This workshop series provides aspiring young filmmakers from Central Luzon with hands-on experience and invaluable insights into the world of filmmaking.

Rica Arevalo, head and project development officer, and officer-in-charge of the Film Festivals Division and Film Education Division, shared in an interview, "The Manila Times reached out to us because the first time we had this in 2022, it was well-received. So now, for Chair Pips' term, they want to broaden its reach. Instead of only involving Subic students, we will be including students from other parts of Central Luzon."

"We're bringing in different master filmmakers to The Manila Times College of Subic — some of whom are the filmmakers we've assisted during the labs held abroad. We are expecting more than a hundred participants, and this will be free of charge," she added.

The collaboration between The Manila Times College Subic and FDCP underscores a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of Filipino filmmakers, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic future for the Philippine film industry.

Additionally, FDCP continues to support Filipino filmmakers participating in international film festivals through the International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP) and International Film Studies Assistance Program (IFSAP).