QUEZON CITY, Philippines — As part of Quezon City’s initiative as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, the Quezon City Screen Commission (Screen QC) is hosting the Screen QC Industry Forum (SQCIF) from November 18 to 21 at Gateway Cineplex 10 (Cinemas 6 and 7).
The four-day event is free and open to the public, inviting film practitioners, educators, students, and cinephiles to engage in panel discussions, master classes, pitch sessions, and workshops aimed at shaping the future of Philippine cinema.
Event Highlights & Daily Schedule
- Nov. 18 (Film Programming & Spaces): Focuses on curation and alternative exhibition spaces with sessions like Meet the Festival Programmers, the QCinema Filmmakers Roundtable, and Microcinemas: Reimagining the Big Screen.
- Nov. 19 (Industry Insights & Pitching): Features a master class by Kino Lorber executive Kate Patterson, a fireside chat with directors Isabel Sandoval and Lav Diaz, and the DGPI Pitch X-Pand, connecting local and Southeast Asian filmmakers with regional producers.
- Nov. 20 (Storytelling, Distribution & Policy): Includes a cinematography master class by Akiko Ashizawa, discussions on screen adaptations and film commissions, and Day 1 of the National Guild Summit, organized by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).
- Nov. 21 (Emerging Trends & Technology): Highlights sessions on regional cinema, Southeast Asian documentaries, film criticism, and the role of AI in filmmaking. The day also features a Sony technical workshop, Day 2 of the National Guild Summit, and a book launch by filmmaker Khavn.
Championing Collaboration
Led by filmmaker and producer Quark Henares, SQCIF serves as a platform to foster unity across the local film ecosystem. Major institutions—including FAP, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), NCCA’s Cinema Rehiyon, DGPI, and Screen QC—have combined efforts to support the event.
“Collaboration is what cinema is all about… I hope people take home these conversations, digest them, and come back full of ideas to make the industry a better place,” said Quark Henares.
“The forum serves as a networking platform to map common strategies for our industry players during QCinema—they are the backbone of a thriving screen industry,” added Ed Lejano, Screen QC Executive Director.
Running alongside the QCinema International Film Festival and the CinemaRehiyon Forum (held Nov. 19–21 at The Millas Hostel), SQCIF reinforces Quezon City’s commitment to empowering creative talent and fostering cultural exchange.