DAVAO — The City Government of Davao will launch the first-ever Davao City Film Festival, a landmark initiative to support filmmakers across Mindanao. The festival is set for March 2027, timed with the 90th Araw ng Dabaw celebration, marking a significant investment in the region's creative industry.
A New Platform for Mindanao Filmmakers
City Information Office OIC Harvey James Lanticse announced the plan, noting that Mayor Sebastian Duterte wants the festival to serve not just Davao City but the entire Mindanao region. The idea emerged from discussions on institutionalizing support for the city's creative talents. Previously, three separate filmmaking competitions were held during Araw ng Dabaw, Duaw Davao, and Kadayawan Festival, each with different participants and content.
Lanticse said the separate contests revealed the region's immense potential. "The creatives are here, we have the form, we really need to refine it more," he explained. The festival will provide a sustained platform for filmmakers and creatives, aligning with the goal of making Davao City the capital of filmmaking in Mindanao. Promotions and the call for entries will begin as early as November 2026 to give participants ample time to prepare.
The festival will feature short film entries, with generous cash prizes for winners. It will be a collaboration among the City Information Office, City Tourism Operations Office, and Davao City Office of the Culture and the Arts.
Building on Davao's Cinema Legacy
Davao City boasts a rich cinema history that the new festival aims to honor. One of the country's first American film producers, Edward Mayer Gross, later became an abaca trader in Davao. He and business partner Harry Brown sold their film equipment to Filipino filmmaker Jose Nepomoceno, who produced the 1919 film Dalagang Bukid, signaling the birth of Philippine Cinema.
In the 1950s, Davao City had its own film industry lasting into the early 1970s. In 1977, filmmaker Briccio Santos organized the Davao City Film Festival, which drew films and stars from Manila. The Mindanao Film Festival followed in 2005, and the Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival was established in 2013 to showcase Mindanao's folklore and horror genre.
The Cinematheque Center Davao opened in 2012 through a usufruct agreement between the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the city government. The 120-seat venue screens Filipino classics and world cinema. In 2018, the City Council created the Film Development Council of Davao City, and in 2023, the Office of the Culture and the Arts was established to support artists across 18 disciplines, including filmmaking.
A Collaborative Vision for Creative Growth
CTOO OIC Willenito Tormis said past contests like Salida Kadayawan showed that filmmakers need a platform to develop their talents. The new festival will be a level up, offering more avenues for filmmakers from Davao and the broader region. The initiative also supports Davao City's bid to become a UNESCO Creative City.
Local filmmakers produce at least one full-length film and dozens of short films annually, earning awards and acclaim worldwide. The festival will showcase this talent on a larger stage, attracting attention from both domestic and international audiences. By investing in film, Davao positions itself as a hub for creative excellence.
Positioning Davao as a Creative Powerhouse
The Davao City Film Festival represents a strategic investment in the creative economy. By providing a sustainable platform, the city hopes to nurture filmmakers who can compete globally. The collaboration among key city offices ensures a unified approach to creative development.
The festival's launch in March 2027 will coincide with the 90th Araw ng Dabaw, adding cultural significance to the celebration. As preparations begin, the city anticipates a strong turnout from filmmakers across Mindanao, eager to share their stories and hone their craft. Davao's creative future looks brighter than ever.
