Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9167)
The main purpose of the Film Development Council of the Philippines is to promote and support the development and growth of the local film industry as a medium for uplifting aesthetic, cultural, and social values and enhancing the appreciation of the Filipino identity.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines is created under the Office of the President.
The Film Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (FDFPI) and the Film Rating Board (FRB) are abolished.
The Council's powers include establishing a Cinema Evaluation System, developing an incentive and reward system for quality films, organizing film festivals, promoting the local film industry, enhancing Filipino talents' skills, managing properties, investing in film industry activities, establishing a film archive, and performing other necessary functions.
The Council is composed of a Chairperson and ten members; three are regular members appointed by the President, and seven are ex-officio members from various government and industry positions.
The Chairperson must be a person of proven administrative proficiency, independence, knowledge of technical and artistic film production aspects, and fully committed to promoting Philippine cinema.
They hold office for a term of three years and may be reappointed but cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board evaluates and grades films submitted to the Council based on artistic and technical criteria to encourage quality filmmaking.
The President appoints the Board members from nominees submitted by the Council. Members must be knowledgeable in the artistic and technical aspects of filmmaking and committed to promoting cinematographic art.
Criteria include direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, production design, music scoring, sound, and acting performances assessed for effectiveness in fulfilling the film's artistic intentions.
They are entitled to incentives equivalent to amusement taxes collected on the films; 100% for grade 'A' and 65% for grade 'B', with the remainder allotted to the Council.
The Council may impose administrative fines up to P100,000, initiate criminal or administrative prosecutions, and cause the closure of theaters for failure to remit taxes.
The Council must submit an annual report within ninety days after the end of each fiscal year to the President and Congress.
They continue in a holdover capacity not exceeding six months, receiving salaries and benefits, and may be given preferential treatment for appointments in the new Council. Those not appointed receive due compensation.
Fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and two newspapers of national circulation following its approval on June 7, 2002.