BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Film Festival (BFF) will now be held every November following amendments to City Ordinance (CO) No. 1061, series of 2024, as approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on third and final reading during its regular session last week.
The amendments were introduced by Councilor Em Ang through CO No. 1105, series of 2025, revising Sections 10, 11, and 15 of CO No. 1061, which established the BFF, created the BFF Council (BFFC), defined its functions, and provided funding.
Ang explained that moving the schedule from September to November will allow better participation and alignment with other city government events.
“There is also a need to adjust the amount of grants allocated to the festival in light of current budget considerations and festival requirements,” she said.
The first BFF was staged in September 2024, following the passage of CO No. 1061 earlier that year.
Under the amended ordinance the Festival Director shall open film grant pitching at a schedule set by the BFFC and designate five to nine jurors to select the films to be showcased, based on guidelines approved by the Council. The BFF will run for two consecutive weeks every November, subject to cinema schedules and coordination with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines. Moreover, all cinemas within Bacolod City shall exclusively screen festival films for the duration of the BFF.
The Council may provide cash grants, limited to 10 grantees per year, to Bacolod-based filmmakers who have completed two required workshops. Applicants must:
* be bona fide residents of Bacolod City, certified by their barangay;
* submit a letter of intent to the mayor, including the film concept, logline, synopses, director and producer profiles, portfolio of works, proposed cast and crew, financial plan, and production timeline; and
* provide a detailed budget proposal or program of works.
Grants will be determined annually and subject to existing accounting and auditing rules. Previously, the city allotted P6 million from the general fund for the festival’s implementation.
The ordinance also mandates free screening tickets for public school students. The Department of Education–Bacolod Division will release a memorandum scheduling when students may view their chosen films.
In addition, public and private schools, colleges, and universities in Bacolod are encouraged to require students enrolled in Arts, Philippine History, or Filipino subjects to watch at least one film in the festival.
Ang emphasized that the amendments aim to sustain the festival’s objectives: “The Bacolod Film Festival was created to promote the development of the local film industry, provide a venue for showcasing artistic talents, and enhance cultural appreciation.”/PN
