Ex-actor files incentives bill for indie films

AN ACTOR-turned-lawmaker wants million-peso perks and incentives granted to Filipino independent filmmakers who win honors at international film festivals.

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas III has filed House Bill No. 6187 to motivate more Filipino producers and directors to make quality independent films.

In an explanatory note, Vargas said alternative or indie-filmmaking was on the rise, comprising 84 percent of all locally made films in a year. He defined indie films as “those made without the capitalization, machinery and influence of major films studios.”

“One particular obstacle is the lack of funds for marketing. As such, most indie films rarely become box office hits,” Vargas said.

Under his proposed “Philippine Independent Film Incentives Act of 2015,” makers of indie films that win the Best Film prize in respected international film competitions shall be granted P5 million.

A grant of P3 million shall go to producers of an award-wining short feature or documentary film.

Also, a full tax exemption relevant to the screening of the film and its commercial exhibition, including those levied by local government film, shall be granted.

Vargas also proposed that the award-winning film be given an automatic A rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board. DJ Yap