At 7th Sinag Maynila launch, directors share views on future of PH cinema

Topel Lee, Joel Lamangan, GB Sampedro, and Kevin Piamonte with Sinag Maynila’s Wilson Tieng at Gateway Cinema. Josh Mercado

Every time there is an industry event, the conversation inevitably turns to the future of Philippine cinema, which has clearly lost its spark since the pandemic. Everyone — from the writers to the directors to the producers — is concerned but optimistic.

Despite a drop in the number of moviegoers, the film industry is trying everything it can to rekindle the spark and culture of big-screen viewing that unites Filipinos from all backgrounds.

Recently, the four chosen directors for the full-length category of Sinag Maynila 2025 -- Kevin Pison Piamonte, Topel Lee, GB Sampedro, and Joel Lamangan -- gave their thoughts on the "struggling" state of Philippine cinema. 

Piamonte, a professor and regional filmmaker with an official entry “Candé” starring JC Santos, noted that there are other cinemas than those inside malls that can provide alternative distribution.

“The challenge really is how you’re going to screen your films. So we should be able to look for other venues for that,” he said, citing alternative venues for film screenings. 

“One thing I would like to cite, being an Ilonggo, we have the longest-running film fest in the entire country, the Bantayan Film Festival. The screening actually is attended by like about 5,000 to 6,000 people in the audience all in one night. So may mga ganoon. They screen in the plaza. Sa UP Visayas naman, we have Cinematheque. If we screen in cinemas, ang mahal. ‘Yung rental alone.”

“There are a lot of stories that we can explore and at the same time venues too for screening our films. Because the films should not just be limited to cinemas,” added the “Candé” director. 

According to “Jeongbu” director Lee, there are changes in audience behavior and expectations when it comes to choosing which movies to consume.

“Siguro, mas naghahanap talaga ng quality ‘yung mga manonood. Kasi kapag nanonood sila, kino-compare lagi sa Hollywood ‘yung mga gawa namin. So, kailangan lang namin itaas pa ‘yung quality. And also, medyo mahal talaga ‘yung mga tickets,” he said.

For "Selda Tres" director Sampedro, Philippine cinema may be struggling but still looks promising in the future.

"Struggling siya. Pero ako kasi naniniwala rin ako sa mga ganitong pagkakataon na nag-i-struggle, ‘yan ‘yung time na makakapag-create ka ng opportunities. Siguro ito ‘yung time na hanapin natin kung ano ‘yung mga opportunities na puwede sa mga pelikula natin. Kung saan natin siya puwedeng ipalabas. Kung saan natin siya pwedeng mai-share sa mga tao,” he said.

Founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes International Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza, it will screen entries from September 24 to 30 at Gateway, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Fairview. The festival organizers have set the admission price at merely Php 250 per ticket. Josh Mercado

While remaining optimistic about the state of the movie industry by suggesting solutions such as block screenings and selling to streaming platforms, "Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa" director Lamangan expressed a sad reality due to the high prices of tickets that are no longer affordable to ordinary people.

“Hindi maganda ang katatayuan ng industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino ngayon sa kadahilanang nawawala na ang nanonood sa mainstream cinema sa mga sinehan sa kadahilanang napakamahal ng sine. Hindi na ito kasing sigla ng ating pelikula 10 years ago,” Lamangan told the media. 

He added, “Ang mga ordinaryong tao na sinasabi natin… ang trabaho ay minimum wage lang. Hindi na sila manonood ng P400 o P350 o P500 na sine. Bibili na lang sila ng bigas. Bibili na lang sila ng ulam para may makain sila. Sila ‘yung dati nating mga audience. Ngayon, hindi na. Pero, nagkaroon ng ibang anyo ang tinatawag nating pagma-market. May mga tinatawag na streaming na puwede mong puntahan at bentahan. May block screening na. Nag-iiba na.”

Founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes International Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza, it will screen entries from September 24 to 30 at Gateway, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Fairview. The festival organizers have set the admission price at merely Php 250 per ticket.  Josh Mercado

While it is true that cinema is having a difficult time right now and that it is reaching fewer people than before, the future of cinema looks promising, with regional stories that need to be told, overlooked realities that need to be shared, and new forms of cinema that need to be explored.

Sinag Maynila, now in its seventh edition, remains committed to championing not only mainstream filmmakers but also student and regional filmmakers who bring personal and local stories to the big screen.