Philippines’ QCinema Unveils 20 Projects for Second Project Market

As a seasoned movie connoisseur who’s traversed the globe in search of the most intriguing cinematic gems, I must say that the 2024 QCinema Project Market lineup is a veritable treasure trove of untold stories waiting to be discovered. Hailing from the vibrant corners of Southeast Asia and the Philippines, these projects promise to deliver a rich tapestry of human experiences, steeped in local culture and traditions.


The Quezon City Film Commission and QCinema have unveiled the schedule for the second installment of the QCinema Project Market (QPM).

From a pool of 63 entries across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, we’ve chosen twenty projects. Our goal is to link these filmmakers with global collaborators, and there’s around $300,000 worth of grants and awards up for grabs.

Last year’s QPM projects have seen substantial advancements. For instance, “Filipiniana” by Rafael Manuel and “Fox King” by Woo Ming Jin are currently in post-production, while Duong Dieu Linh’s “Don’t Cry Butterfly” is set to world premiere at the Venice Critics’ Week.

Southeast Asian Projects from the 2024 selection include:

“The Beer Maiden of Yangon” (Myanmar, Indonesia) – Directed by Sein Lyan Tun, Produced by Yulia Evina Bhara. Summary: A 17-year-old girl takes a job at a beer stall in Yangon following her father’s political detainment, as she grapples with romance and hallucinations.

“The Movie House” (in Vietnam) – Directed by Minh-Nghiem Nguyen-Vo, and Produced by Johann Chapelan. Summary: During the 1960s in Vietnam, a small, family-owned cinema serves as a haven for a young boy amidst the chaos of war.

“Tomorrow’s Masters” (Myanmar) – Director: Maung Sun, Producer: Emmanuel Angeles

Title Translation: “To Depart, To Remain” (Cambodia)

“Dreams of Others” (Singapore) – Directed by Daniel Hui, Produced by Tan Si En and Joel Neo. Summary: A pair of fugitives cross paths in Singapore, making a living by secretly taking from the general populace.

“The Malaysian Passport” – Directed by Ananth Subramaniam, Produced by Choo Mun Bel. Summary: A rebellious rock musician clashes with traditional values within a blue-collar Indian household in Malaysia.

“Smiling Again in September” (Singapore, India) – Director: Aakash Chhabra, Producer: Fran Borgia. Summary: A street musician in Old Delhi struggles to find happiness after parting ways with his beloved and losing some of his teeth.

Filipino Projects from the 2024 selection are:

“Daughters of the Sea” – Directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar and Produced by Rajiv Idnani. Summary: The stories of three individuals unfold, one of whom unexpectedly encounters her father while working as a tour guide.

“Decay’s Nightmare” – Director: Kenneth Dagatan, Producers: Bradley Liew, Junxiang Huang.

“The Mob Next Door” – Directed by: Mario Cornejo, Produced by: Monster Jimenez, Jon Romulo. Summary: A young lad’s world is flipped upside down as a gangster settles in with his partner and offspring on the other side of the fence.

“Sky’s Mercy: A Prelude to Ruin”

“The Vessel of the Unwitting” – Directed by Keith Deligero, Produced by Gale Osorio

“Golden” – Directed by JP Habac, Produced by Omar Sortijas and Catsi Catalan. Summary: A group of homeless elderly gay individuals band together to resurrect their drag queen acts as a means to raise funds.

“Hidden Whispers” – Director: Eileen Cabiling, Producers: Darlene Malimas, Jericho Rosales. Summary: A filmmaker delves into the mysteries surrounding a contentious film production from the 1980s.

“Perhaps Mother”

As Your Humble Fan, I Ask for Patience:

“Angel De Dios” – Directed by Joel Ruiz, Produced by Madonna Tarrayo. Summary: During a botched bank heist, an unlucky robber finds himself unexpectedly caring for a baby.

“Hum” – Directed by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, Produced by Alemberg Ang and Hannah Schierbeek. Summary: A seismic event impacts a pair of land advocates-turned-rodeo performers who are tormented by their past.

As a cinephile, I’d put it like this: “In the Realm of the Aliens,” my directorial debut under the name Keith Sicat, produced by the brilliant Sari Dalena. Here’s a glimpse into the storyline: In another world, far from Earth, I grapple as a scientist to bridge the gap with my distant child.

“The Rediscovered” – Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi, Produced by Will Manalang and Eiko Mizuno Gray. Summary: A destitute Japanese individual living in Manila becomes a part of what he believes to be an ecological organization, unaware that it’s actually a cult-like group.

QPM provides diverse financing options, such as the QPM-PH Co-Production Grant that awards PHP2 million ($35,390) to three Filipino projects. In addition, other rewards encompass post-production services and gear rental from collaborating industry professionals.

The upcoming market, slated for November 14th through 16th during the 12th QCinema International Film Festival in the Philippines, offers opportunities such as one-on-one interactions, project showcases, and networking events. Registration for industry professionals begins September 11th and continues until the 30th. The jury members will be unveiled on October 9th.

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2024-09-02 18:47