Today isn’t just another day in the Philippine film industry—it marks the start of a whole new era. Quezon City has been officially designated a UNESCO Creative City of Film! This isn’t just a title; it’s a monumental achievement that makes QC one of the first Southeast Asian cities to receive this recognition. Seriously, my heart is bursting with pride!

For years, we’ve known QC as the vibrant heart of Philippine cinema—from the historical grounds of Sampaguita Pictures to the countless productions happening today. Now, that truth is official.

From Theme to Triumph: QC Film City is Real

This announcement is incredibly timely. QC had already embraced the theme “QC Film City” for this year’s QCinema International Film Festival, and now, the world is confirming it. This designation is a massive stamp of approval that connects QC’s rich legacy with its ambitious future.

Mayor Joy Belmonte’s words perfectly capture the weight of this achievement:

“QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in the legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage. From the golden era of Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generation of creators bringing our stories to life today—this recognition honors each and every one of them.”

This is not just for the stars, though. As Mayor Belmonte stressed, this is fundamentally about the people: the workers, the crew, and the QCitizens who deserve quality films and fair conditions.

What Does the UNESCO Title Actually Do?

This isn’t about bragging rights—it’s about concrete action. The UNESCO Film City designation gives Quezon City the power and platform to seriously uplift our local film industry. We’re talking about real, impactful change focused on three major pillars:

1. Worker Protection: This means fully enforcing policies like the Eddie Garcia Law to ensure our crew and artists get fair wages and safe working environments. Our Ate and Kuya behind the scenes finally get the protections they deserve.
2. Talent Development: The city will focus on developing sustainable talent and professionalization programs to truly boost the local film workforce, ensuring our skills are world-class.
3. Global Recognition: We’re finally going all-in on pursuing global recognition for Filipino filmmakers! It’s time for the world to see what we can do.

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The New Initiatives That Will Change the Game

The brilliant team at the Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC), led by Executive Director Liza Diño, spearheaded this application back in 2023. And they didn’t stop there—they’ve already lined up three incredible initiatives that are about to revolutionize the industry:

• QC Screen Academy: This is a public, industry-supported training hub! It’s going to offer skills development in film development, production, distribution, and marketing for everyone—from newcomers to seasoned pros. Goodbye, skill gaps!
• Global Producers Exchange (GPX): Imagine a platform connecting producers from Southeast Asia and other UNESCO Creative Cities. This is a collaboration hub for projects, insights, and industry trends. Hello, international co-productions!
• Southeast Asia Film Summit: An annual event where leaders, commissions, and policymakers from the region meet to discuss regulations, production incentives, and financing. This is where regional growth gets strategized.

As Liza Diño powerfully stated, this recognition is a call to action:

“This is not just a recognition of what we have achieved—it is a call to deepen our commitment to creative governance and cultural sustainability. We are ready to take on this responsibility, to open our doors to collaboration, and to continue building a city where stories thrive and creativity empowers every citizen.”

This is truly a momentous victory that honors the past, celebrates the present, and sets a dazzling future for our filmmakers. QC is ready to take our stories global!