FILM industry leaders, creatives, and policymakers from across Asia and Europe gathered in Manila for the opening of the ASEAN Film & Television Summit 2026.
Centered on the theme “Navigating our Future, Together,” the event focuses on regional collaboration, film archiving, and education to elevate Asian cinema on the global stage.
Lorna Tee, Secretary General of the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN), emphasized the urgency of collective growth in her opening remarks, highlighting the need to address the past, present, and future of Asian storytelling.
Keynote speaker Dr. Patrick Campos framed discussions on heritage preservation and industry trends, alongside opening welcomes from Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Jose Javier Reyes and Negros Occidental Representative Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also attended, continuing her advocacy for international recognition of Philippine film.
A major highlight of the summit was Representative Benitez’s announcement regarding landmark legislation.
The House committee has finalized a substitute bill for the Philippine Film Industry Development Act, marking the first major overhaul of the country’s film laws in 24 years.
Addressing the impacts of streaming, pandemic-related cinema closures, and artificial intelligence, the bill aims to modernize industry frameworks.
Building on the Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, the legislation proposes transforming the FDCP into a full film commission, offering incentives for international co-productions, integrating audiovisual literacy into K-12 education, and establishing a permanent state film archive.
FDCP Chairman Reyes noted that the summit serves a broader cultural purpose, advocating for media as a tool for mutual understanding and regional pride.
The initiative comes at a critical economic moment for Asian cinema. According to the European Audiovisual Observatory, Asia accounted for 54% of global cinema admissions and 38% of global box office revenue in 2025.
AFAN leaders stress that updating policies, education, and archiving practices is essential to match Asia’s demographic and commercial scale with international artistic recognition.
The summit runs through August 14, following the AFAN Boot Camp for Young Filmmakers earlier in the week.
