Re-animating Philippine Cinema: For Filipinos, By Filipinos

Abstract

This study explores the Philippine animation industry in terms of its original local content through the eyes of Filipino animators. It is a brief chronicle of Filipino animated films throughout the years, particularly film entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and Animahenasyon, from 2007 to 2016. These films were proudly made by Filipino animators and captured the essence of being a Filipino. With the talent and creativity of Filipino animators, they are constantly pursued to create content for foreign animation studios. This has led to a boom in animation subcontracting. However, with the flourishing business side of animation comes the breakdown of the local animation industry. With the preference of working as “in-betweeners,†Filipino animators have devoted their talent to assembly line-type of work instead of bringing to life characters that are uniquely their own.

To trace the "re-animation" of the Philippine animation industry, this study draws attention to how Filipino culture is manifested in the animated films included in the study. Along with this, an analysis of MMFF and the Animahenasyon as main platforms for animated films and their roles in the distribution and exhibition of animated films are presented.

The study is able to affirm the presence of original local content in the selected animated films from MMFF and Animahenasyon. Despite the challenges faced by Filipino animators, the original local content of the animation industry is blooming and defying expectations. Filipino animated films are reflective of the aspirations of its people and the nation's socio-political issues, mythology, and folklore. Indeed, Philippine animation can be distinguished as a distinct and continuously developing cultural art form.