Filipino directors guild expresses disappointment with FAP for not submitting entry to Oscars

A Filipino directors’ guild slammed the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) for not submitting an entry to the foreign film category of the 2022 Oscars.

In a statement released on Friday, the Directors' Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) expressed its "great disappointment" with FAP, the organization responsible for submitting films for consideration in the international category.

"It is a great disappointment that the Film Academy of the Philippines did not submit an official entry to the International Foreign Film category of the 2022 Oscar Awards," said the guild.

"To our knowledge, this will only be the second time the Philippines has not submitted an entry to the Oscars, dismaying given that the Oscar eligibility rules in this pandemic year have accommodated streaming and online jury voting, making a push from our local producers more feasible."

The organization pointed out that all films in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) would have been eligible for submission, highlighting critically acclaimed films such as MacArthur Alejandre's "Tagpuan," Erik Matti's Venice-winning "The Missing 8," Antoinette Jadaone's Tallinn-premiering "Fan Girl" and Avid Liongoren's Fantasia-awarded "Hayop Ka!"

"This missed opportunity offers a good chance to review our country's processes on submission of Philippine entries to the Oscar Awards," the group said.

DGPI also  invited film workers to "discuss and create a private sector, industry-led initiative" to resolve the procedures for future Oscar entries.

"As our industry struggles to rise above survival, some changes are necessary," it said.

FAP has yet to release a statement addressing its non-submission of entry to the Oscars. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News