The Davao Tourism Association (DATA) is pushing for Davao City as the next hub for major film and television productions which is seen to boost the city’s tourism and economy.
DATA president Gatchi Gatchalian said DATA recently created a film tourism council that will push for potential prospects both from national and international film and TV outfits to make Davao City as their production location.
“We wanted Davao to be promoted as a location for big productions,” Gatchi said.
DATA recently appointed Davao writer-reporter Rudolph Alama as vice president for film tourism, who is also the festival director for the Mindanao Film Festival (MFF).
For his part, Alama said his group is pushing for the Davao City Film Council to train its efforts not only in the city but in the entire region. He added that the film tourism council could help local filmmakers.
“Aside from employment and revenue generation, we could also learn from their (international filmmakers) best practices, including technology transfer,” Alama said citing that the city has been previously set as location for various film projects.
In 2007, the thriller-movie “I Come with the Rain” was shot in the city. The film stars American actor Josh Hartnett, Japanese actor Takuya Kimura and Korean actor Byung-Hun Lee.
In 2013, South Korean sports film, “No Breathing”, which starred Lee Jong-suk, Seo In-guk and Kwon Yur, was partly shot in Davao City.
Notable TV series were also shot in the city including ABS-CBN’s “Maria Mercedes”, starring Jessy Mendiola, and GMA 7’s “I Heart Davao”, staring real-life couples Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez.
Alama said that DATA wanted to maximize the city’s potential to host huge film and TV productions by tapping the private sector.
“Private sectors like hotels, resorts and restaurants, can give incentives, depending on the package that they will offer,” he said.
“For the LGU (local government unit), they can give incentives like tax incentives and (in giving) permits,” he added.
Alama said that DATA is set to meet with Film Development Council of the Philippines chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra on March 6 to discuss how the city will create its own film council.
