Film Academy of the Philippines

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Film Academy of the Philippines
FormationJanuary 5, 1981
TypeGovernment Agency
PurposeProfessionalization of film industry; upskilling and training of AV workers and To give awards and recognition for significant accomplishments of the development of the motion picture industry
HeadquartersDepartment of Trade and Industry, Filinvest Bldg., 387 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., 1200 Makati City
Location
  • Philippines
Director-General
 Paolo Villaluna
Main organ
Board of Trustees
Website https://filmacademy.gov.ph/

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is a revamped Philippine government agency of a previous organization, created for the professionalization of film workers and guilds via capacity-building programs and sector convergence and to promote recognition of outstanding motion pictures in the Philippine film industry. [1]

Contents

History

The Film academy of the Philippines was previously a quasi-government organization founded in 1981 through Presidential Executive Order 640-A, [2] as part of the newly created Filipino Motion Picture Development Board (FMPDB, now the FDCP) an arm of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to promote welfare, training, and representation of professionals in the industry and patterned after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the United States., serving as an umbrella organization of various labor organizations or guilds in the Philippine film industry and has recognized outstanding achievements in motion pictures through its annual Luna Awards since they were first awarded in 1983. Since its establishment, the Film Academy has been in charge of selecting the country's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. [3]

In 2006, the executive order was amended by EO 513 and the oversight over the Academy and the FMPDB, now the Film Development Council of the Philippines, was placed under the Department of Education. [4]

Following the passage of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, the promotion and support for the country's creative industry including the film industry was institutionalized and the Academy's administrative supervision was transferred from the Department of Education to the Department of Trade and Industry, being the lead implementing agency of the passed law, in 2024. [3] [5] Following the restructuring, the Academy will be governed by a board of trustees that is chaired by its director general and co-chaired by the trade secretary. [6]

Changes and New Leadership

In October 2024, seeing a need to revamp the Film Academy to help the struggling industry, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. signed EO 70s 2024, "Promoting The Development Of The Philippine Film Industry, Strengthening The Film Academy Of The Philippines," putting the government agency under the administrative supervision of DTI [1] and appointed as Director General the independent director, former DGPI President and Inter Guild Alliance co-founder Paolo Villaluna, who promised inclusivity of stakeholders in the revamping of the agency. [7] While restructuring the agency and awaiting its budget, the new Film Academy began with industry workshops, focus group discussions with stakeholders and has partnered with relevant government agencies for its program. [8] [9]

Previous Director Generals of The Film Academy include Atty Espiridion Laxa, and actors Leo Martinez and Vivian Velez. [10] [11] [12]

Mandate

Professionalization and Training

Under Executive Orders No. 640-A, 513 and 70 (2024), The Film Academy’s mandate includes creating capacity building, educational programs, assistance and incentives for film workers and is directed to guide, assist and steer representative guilds and associations toward the professionalization of the Philippine film industry. [1] [2] [4]

New programs of the revamped Film Academy include the initiating of professional industry work standards, guild and worker accreditation, a code of ethics handbook, identification cards, grievance and welfare services for the film community and upskilling, training and certifications for industry workers. [1]

Film Recognition and Oscar selection  

The film academy is also mandated to “Give due recognition, awards, distinction and other forms of reward for the significant efforts and accomplishments of motion picture arts and sciences in the country,” “...as well as revitalize and further promote the Philippine Film Industry. Give due recognition to outstanding motion pictures, artists and relevant stakeholders to revitalize and promote the Philippine Film Industry.” and is “... authorized to establish an independent committee for the selection of official Philippine nominee/s to the Academy Awards or the Oscars and other similar international awards, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.” [1]

It also organizes the Luna Awards, an annual Philippine award-giving body.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Executive Order No. 70". lawphil.net. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Executive Order No. 640-A, s. 1981 | Senate of the Philippines Legislative Reference Bureau". ldr.senate.gov.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "FAP, hindi nag-submit ng entry sa Oscars International Feature Film". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Executive Order No. 513, s. 2006 | Senate of the Philippines Legislative Reference Bureau". ldr.senate.gov.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  5. ↑ Reyes, J (October 5, 2024). "PH's Film Academy placed under DTI to 'maximize local industry potential'". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  6. ↑ Gita Carlos, Ruth Abbey (October 5, 2024). "Film Academy of the Philippines placed under DTI supervision". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  7. ↑ Ferrer, Noel D. (September 17, 2024). "Paolo Villaluna's plans on the future of FAP". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ "QCinema Industry | QCFC". qcfilmcommission.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ "QCinema Industry 2025 Expands Its Regional Reach With New Film Market, Gender Equity Push, and Documentary Focus | QCFC". qcfilmcommission.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ Tagudiña, Maria Emanuelle. ""Curiouser and Curiouser": Makings of a Better Philippine Cinema".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. ↑ "Former FAP head Leo Martinez explains why FDCP took over 37th Luna Awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Vivian Velez reacts to report that she's not welcome at FAP". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 29, 2025.


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