Key Factors for a Successful Film Festival

Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Toronto – these are the big four film festivals that we all know and love. But what many people don’t realize is that the glitzy award shows and celebrity appearances are just the tip of the iceberg. The real magic happens behind closed doors, where deals are made, negotiations are hammered out, and business partnerships are born.

I recently found myself scrolling through the social media feeds of the Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles and couldn’t help but wonder: where’s the beef? Sure, the photos of glamorous dinners and star-studded premieres are fun to look at, but what about the nitty-gritty business side of things?

I was hoping to see some photos of Hollywood big shots rubbing shoulders with our Filipino filmmakers, discussing distribution deals and co-productions. I wanted to see evidence that the festival was more than just a fancy party – that it was a platform for serious business conversations.

I did spot a few non-Filipino faces in the mix, like Korean producer David Shim, who has worked on projects like the Oscar-winning Parasite and has been showing his support for the Filipino film industry for quite some time. It’s great to see international players getting involved and hopefully helping to open doors for our local talents.

While it’s nice to see celebs like Kevin Kwan of Crazy Rich Asians fame showing their love for the Philippines, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were really there to do business. After all, what we really need are co-productions, distribution deals, and global representation for our creative talents.

We can’t help but envy other countries like Thailand, which are landing big projects like The White Lotus and boosting their tourism numbers in the process. It’s time for us to step up our game and show the world what we’re capable of.

I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade here. I know a lot of time, effort, and money goes into making these festivals happen, and I truly want them to succeed. But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Let’s make sure that these events are not just about throwing a great party for the Filipino community in LA or giving folks in Manila a fun weekend in La La Land. Let’s make sure they’re about making real, tangible connections and moving our industry forward.

I have faith that good things are happening behind the scenes in LA, and I’ll be the first to cheer them on when they come to light. Let’s make sure that the Manila International Film Festival is not just a glittering spectacle, but a real driver of progress for our film industry. Just my two cents!