Ilocos Norte Encourages Local Filmmakers to Document Culture and Heritage

LAOAG: In celebration of its 206th founding anniversary on February 2, Ilocos Norte’s provincial tourism office is inviting local filmmakers to create documentaries about the daily lives of its people. Xavier Ruiz, the officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office, made this call on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, filmmakers interested in participating can submit their story concepts through the provided link by January 27. This year’s Tan-ok ni Ilokano Film Festival will focus on the documentary genre, aiming to preserve and showcase the region’s traditional agriculture practices, artisanal crafts, fishing, and modern professions that define Ilokano culture.

The provincial government is promoting the annual film festival to not only discover new talents but also to promote film tourism in various locations across the province. The submitted concepts should be for films with a running time of at least 15 minutes and no more than 20 minutes. Finalists, to be shortlisted by January 29, will receive a seed production grant, the amount of which is yet to be disclosed.

The final documentary films are required to be submitted by February 23. All entries must be original works, with dialogues primarily in Ilokano or Filipino, accompanied by appropriate English subtitles.