Paolo Villaluna is focused on revitalizing the Film Academy of the Philippines by strengthening its mandate.
After his progressive stint as president of the Directors’ Guild Of the Phippines Inc. (DGPI) Paolo Villaluna, film, TV and commercial director of noteworthy films like “Selda” (2007) and “Pedicab” (2016) has taken on a new role as an industry leader. As a practitioner, he is part of the Philippine New Wave’s “most significant, most exciting digital frontliners of the alternative movement” that emerged during the mid 2000s, helping usher a new era in local cinema.
Now, Paolo is director general of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) , the one in charge of the various guilds of the industry – a bigger responsibility that needs more of his time and effort. In his first ever interview as head of FAP, we asked Paolo how this all happened, what his reaction to the appointment wss, and what made him accept the position.
“My understanding is industry stakeholders and agency leaders recommended my name, maybe because of my background in community and film industry service with IFC (Independent Filmmaker’s Cooperative), DGPI and recently, the Inter Guild Alliance (IGA),” he related.
“I was originally offered the position back in January and still vividly remember the conversation. I initially thought I was just being asked for my recommendations as an industry stakeholder, so I gave my thoughts on how to revitalize FAP and who the ideal person should be and when the person said that they were offering me the job, I was surprised. But my professional workload was heavy then, and I said no.
“However, between January to May, so many crucial events happened in the industry and to film workers, including the passing of the Eddie Garcia Bill,” he continued, “I felt like having government support for film workers through a revitalized Film Academy will be crucial, so when they got back to me, I accepted the responsibility.”
He remembered telling himself when it finally dawned on him that the position was really his – “Shit. This just got real.”
As the new director general, his focus is to work with other stakeholders to revitalize FAP. Paolo laid out his priorities for revitalizing the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), emphasizing its role as the primary government umbrella agency for all film guilds and workers. He plans to focus on protecting film workers’ working conditions and promoting guild development. Key mandates, including the Luna Awards and the selection of the Philippines’ Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film, will be strengthened.
“There’s a lot of work. First is to ensure that the agency has the mandate and budget to actualize its programs. Together with FDCP and its leadership, we are already beginning the process of making it happen,” Paolo stated, indicating structural changes within the agency’s departments and programs.
A major goal is to invite all film guilds, both old and new, under the Academy. “We will empower the active ones, then support and assist the fledgling ones,” he shared. Paolo also plans to form partnerships with international guilds, strengthen ties with AMPAS, and improve the country’s Oscar campaigns.
To further support industry professionals, Paolo revealed plans for a legal, grievance, and mediation desk. “We will create a fair process where our workers or producers… can complain. This will be done with the help of private sector guilds and relevant government agencies.”
How do we finally get that elusive Oscar nod for Filipino films – the first award or nomination seem to be still just a dream?
With much hope, Paolo said, “For the Oscar selection mandate, we will field out studies on current successful international campaign practices, revisit our selection process based on Academy eligibility and recommend how our government can truly financially support the nominee’s campaign. This will include building relations with the Academy, its voters, even North American distributors, and publicists. The baseline syempre is selecting the best local film that strategically has the best chances based on so many factors. And we are not limiting our assistance to the Best International Feature Film as I believe we have great chances in the Short Film, Animation and Documentary categories.
“There is a lot of work. It will take a village,” he remarked on his FAP role as a whole.
Paolo aims to make the revitalized Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) relevant by ensuring inclusivity and securing the energy and budget to bring its programs to life. He highlighted that the proposed board will include key agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). “What matters too is that FAP focuses and stays within its mandate,” he emphasized, noting that FDCP is excelling in development programs while Mowelfund handles welfare. “The triumvirate will affect positive changes, I think.”
One of the biggest challenges he faces as FAP director general is time. “Sleep,” he quipped when asked, before explaining the smooth transition from previous leadership. He credited former officer-in-charge Manny Morfe for keeping FAP afloat despite limited resources.
Paolo acknowledged the need for evolution, saying, “All stakeholders will be part of the future of FAP. Hard work is ahead.”
With Direk Paolo at the helm, we are looking forward to great things happening in the Film Academy of the Philippines.
