The QCinema Project Market has made a significant impact in Southeast Asia by awarding $310,000 in support to budding filmmakers from the region. This initiative, now in its third year, continues to inspire creativity and enhance the film industry across Southeast Asia. With its commitment to nurturing talent, the QCinema Project Market plays a crucial role in sustaining the vibrant cinematic culture of the region.
Recognizing Creative Talent
Following Quezon City’s recent recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, the QCinema Project Market emphasized its importance as a cultural hub by distributing over PHP18 million ($310,000) to filmmakers across Southeast Asia. The two-day event featured intense pitch sessions, curated meetings, and industry dialogues, all aimed at fostering the next wave of cinematic storytellers.
The top accolade, the Quezon City Best Project Award, was bestowed upon Dominic Bekaert’s “Daddy Cool,” which received PHP1 million ($17,240). This Filipino project also garnered the Kongchak Studio Award, providing audio post-production services valued at $10,000, along with color correction from Central Digital Lab.
Celebrating Regional Stories
The QCinema Project Market celebrated diverse stories from across the region. Russell Morton’s “Penumbra” from Singapore emerged as the first-place winner in the Southeast Asian Project Award category, earning PHP500,000 ($8,620). Following closely, Mai Huyền Chi’s Vietnamese film “The River Knows Our Names” secured the second position with PHP300,000 ($5,170).
Among Filipino filmmakers, Arjanmar H. Rebeta’s “There Is, There Isn’t” took the top spot with a PHP500,000 prize. Sam Manacsa’s “The Void is Immense in Idle Hours” not only placed second but also received equipment support, color correction services, and a film residency, showcasing the multi-faceted support available to filmmakers.
Extensive Partner Support
Aimed at enriching the projects beyond financial grants, partner awards played a pivotal role. Dean Colin Marcial’s “Jaguar” obtained comprehensive post-production services from Mocha Chai Laboratories valued at $50,000. The CMB Equipment Support distributed resources across projects from the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Color grading, audio post-production, and marketing were boosted by collaborations with Central Digital Lab, Barebones, Terminal Six, Narra, among others. These partnerships emphasized the vital community support essential for elevating filmmaking in Southeast Asia.
A Commitment to Global Reach
“Quezon City’s UNESCO Creative City of Film designation inspires us to aim even higher,” stated QPM managing director Liza Dino-Seguerra. “These awards reflect our belief in the region’s filmmakers and our dedication to supporting their stories as they travel to global audiences.”
The 2025 QCinema Project Market showcased innovative projects from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, underscoring its commitment to fostering diverse talent and creativity across Southeast Asia.
