Local Film Production in the Philippine Cordillera: Processes, Motivations, and Constraints

The local film production industries in the Philippine Cordillera region have been thriving since the 1980s. In Baguio City, Benguet, and Mountain Province, local filmmakers have already produced various cinematic forms such as documentary films, feature (short and full length) films, music videos, and animated films for various purposes. Utilizing political economy of media as a framework, this paper provides a preliminary exploration of the processes involved in the local production of those types of films in Baguio, Benguet, and Mountain Province. It also discusses the motivations and constraints that influence or inform the decisions and activities of local filmmakers in terms of content and production.