The development of filmmaking in the Philippines began in the early 20th century. The first feature film, Dalagang Bukid, was released in 1919 and was directed by Jose Nepomuceno, who is considered the "Father of Philippine Movies". In the 1950s, films like Genhis Khan and Ifugao received international acclaim and marked the first "Golden Age of Philippine Cinema". During the 1970s, influential filmmakers like Lino Brocka directed critically acclaimed films that defied government censorship, while independent films exploring non-commercial themes also emerged. Today, Philippine independent films are receiving recognition in international film festivals and have support through local film festivals.

1. The Development of
Filmmaking in the
Philippines
MUSIC ARTS PHYSICAL EDUCATION HEALTH – 4TH GRADING – TEACHER JM

2. The art of filmmaking is the youngest
of the different art forms in the
Philippines since it did not become a
full-blown reality until well into the
20th century

3. The very first feature film by
a Filipino was Dalagang
Bukid, which came out in
1919. It was based on a
musical play of the same
title, and was directed by
Jose Nepomuceno.
For this feat, Nepomuceno
would be dubbed by
historians as the “Father of
Philippine Movies.”
Indeed, his work marked
the birth of film as an art
form in the Philippines.

4. Zamboanga, a 1937 film
that starred Fernando
Poe, Sr. and Rosa del
Rosario, was the first to
catch the attention of
international critics. Frank
Capra, an Academy
Award-winning director,
producer, and writer
praised Zamboanga as the
most exciting and
beautiful picture of native
life he had seen.

5. The 1950 movie,
Genhis Khan by
Manuel Conde
received acclaim at the
1952 Venice Film
festival.
This begun what many
would consider the first
“Golden Age of
Philippine Cinema.”

6. Also in 1952, the FAMAS
(Film Academy of Movie
Arts and Sciences) was
established and the
following year the first
awards night would be
held at the Rivera Supper
Club on June 16, 1953.

7. The first FAMAS awardees
included Ang Sawa sa
Lumang Simborio (Best
Picture), Gerardo de Leon
(Best director, Bagong
Umaga), Ben Perez (Best
Actor, Bagong Umaga),
Alicia Vergel (Best
Actress, Basahang Ginto),
Gil de Leon (Best Supporting
Actor, Korea), and Nida
Blanca (Best Supporting
Actress, Korea).

8. Between 1954 and 1956,
three landmark films would
catapult the Philippines as
major filmmaking center in
Asia.
These are Gerardo de
Leon’s Ifugao (1954),
Lamberto
Avellana’s Kandelerong
Pilak (1954, LVN Pictures),
and Anak Dalita (1956) which
all garnered awards at the
Cambodia, Asia, and Berlin
Film Festivals.

9. Towards the latter end of the
decade, Filipino producers
began seriously
experimenting on color film
with little success as local
technicians struggled to cope
with the new technology. But
by the 1960s, full length color
pictures started coming out
including Ito ang Pilipino,
produced and starred in by
Joseph Estrada; and by the
1970s, black and white
pictures would no longer be
produced.

10. The 70s and 80s brought in a
new breed of filmmakers who
were defiant of government
censorship that came with the
declaration of Martial Law in
1972. Then President
Ferdinand Marcos began to
impose strict regulations on
filmmaking, clamping down
on political movies that were
critical of his administration.

11. Among the most influential
filmmakers that made an
impact during this time was
Lino Brocka for his Tinimbang
Ka Ngunit
Kulang (1974), Maynila sa
mga Kuko ng
Liwanag (1975), Insiang (1976
), Bayan ko: Kapit sa
Patalim (1984),
and Orapronobis (1989). He
was post-humously given the
National Artist of the
Philippines for film in 1997.

12. Other landmark movies
that came out during this
era were Ishmael
Bernal’s Himala (1982),
Eddie Romero’s Ganito
Kami Noon, Paano Kayo
Ngayon? (1976), Marilou
Diaz-
Abaya’s Karnal (1984), and
Mike de Leon’s Sister
Stella L. (1984).

13. From these movies,
sprung sterling
performances by the
biggest names in film
acting such as Nora
Aunor, Vilma Santos,
Charo Santos, Hilda
Koronel, Christopher
de Leon and Bembol
Roco, to name a few.

14. The 70s also saw the rise of independent
film, or indie films, also referred to as
“alternative cinema.” They differ from
the so-called mainstream films, which
have popular themes, cater to the
masses, and are produced by big
production companies. Indie films
include short film documentation, and
experimental films that explore non-
commercial themes like poetry, sex, and
oppression. It was an unknown director
by the name of Kidlat Tahimik who
initiated in this type of films with
his Mababangong Bangungot (1977),
which won the International Critic’s Prize
in the Berlin Film Festival.

15. Today, a new breed of independent
filmmakers have emerged and are
receiving international recognition for
their works. These includes Kanakan
Balintagos (formerly known as Auraeus
Solido (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo
Oliveros, 2005) Raymond Red, winner of
the Palme d’ Or at the 2000 Cannes Film
Festival for his short film, Anino; Brillante
Mendoza, who won the Best Director
award at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival
for Kinatay (2009), and more recently,
Lav Diaz whose Ang Babaeng
Humayo won the Golden Lion Award at
the 73rd Venice International Film
Festival.

16. The establishment of film festivals
such as the Cinemalaya Philippine
Independent Film Festival, Cine
Filipino, Cinema One Originals, and
QCinema, among others, has
provided variable platforms to
showcase these independent films
for the entertainment and
appreciation of local film
enthusiasts. More importantly, it
has provided not just much-needs
funding but support in the form of
recognitions and awards.