FULL CIRCLE LAB PHILIPPINES

Full Circle Lab Philippines is a capacity-building program aimed at supporting Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers.

Through organizing the various labs ranging from the stages of pre-production to post-production, the program enhances selected projects and participants from around the globe, elevating their films and talents to their highest potential and allowing them to reach international standards.

Launched in 2019, the Full Circle Lab Philippines was developed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in collaboration with Matthieu Darras, current director of Full Circle Lab and former Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Torino Film Lab. The collaboration looks to make the Philippines a creative hub for filmmaking in the Southeast Asian region. With this aim, the tailor-made Full Circle Lab Philippines will open up its program to discover unique stories from all of Southeast Asia and to encompass the different voices within the region. 

Filmmakers from the Philippines and neighboring Brunei, Cambodia, East-Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are eligible and encouraged to submit their films for consideration in the program’s four separate film labs. So far more than 100 film professionals and 48 film projects (32 in development and 16 in post-production) have moved through the lab.

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Full Circle Lab Philippines is a capacity-building program aimed at supporting Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers.

Through organizing the various labs ranging from the stages of pre-production to post-production, the program enhances selected projects and participants from around the globe, elevating their films and talents to their highest potential and allowing them to reach international standards.

Launched in 2019, the Full Circle Lab Philippines was developed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in collaboration with Matthieu Darras, current director of Full Circle Lab and former Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Torino Film Lab. The collaboration looks to make the Philippines a creative hub for filmmaking in the Southeast Asian region. With this aim, the tailor-made Full Circle Lab Philippines will open up its program to discover unique stories from all of Southeast Asia and to encompass the different voices within the region. 

Filmmakers from the Philippines and neighboring Brunei, Cambodia, East-Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are eligible and encouraged to submit their films for consideration in the program’s four separate film labs. So far more than 100 film professionals and 48 film projects (32 in development and 16 in post-production) have moved through the lab.

For this year’s edition of the Full Circle Lab, the labs are as follows:
 

FICTION LAB FIRST CUT LAB

Twelve (12) projects in development (feature films, series, animation)

Three (3) projects in post-production (feature films & documentaries)

CREATIVE PRODUCERS LAB STORY EDITING LAB

Eight (8) producers with or without project/s in development

Three (3) participants 

For the 2023 edition, and FCL PH’s fifth year, the FDCP and Tatino Films will continue to provide opportunities for the filmmakers and producers to further develop and elevate their projects by launching Full Circle Lab Philippines with two (2) sessions spanned over a 5-month period: one on-site residential workshop and one online follow-up session.

With the signed Horizons 2025 agreement, the FCL PH’s goal to become an all-Filipino team shall be realized in the years to come. 

Full Circle Lab Philippines aims for the following:

  • Identifying, nurturing, and training creative talents in the Philippines and in South-East Asia;

  • Supporting Filipino & Southeast Asian film projects along their development & post-production processes – in order to enhance their artistic and audience potentials with a focus on storytelling;

  • Fostering the internationalisation of the Filipino film industry and positioning the Philippines as a creative hub in the Southeast Asian region;

  • Creating synergy between the industry experts and professionals across the globe through sessions and talks.

Labs

Full Circle Lab Philippines is made of 4 Labs that will directly benefit 15 projects and 11 talents, with no less than 10 mentors involved. The Lab takes place onsite on March 27 to 31. 


Fiction Lab

The Fiction Lab is the central lab of the whole scheme, as it directly aims at answering one of the most common needs of any film industry, that is making it possible for original & competitive film projects to come to life.

This Lab shall constitute a creative framework, and target the core creative team of a film project: the scriptwriter, the director, and the producer. It consists mainly of script and production consultancies, with different techniques & processes.

The Fiction Lab welcomes twelve (12) projects at various stages of development: from early-stage to pre-production with formats ranging from feature films, series, or animation. This is made possible with a reinforced mentorship: one script consultant & one production consultant per group of 4 projects.


First Cut Lab

The First Cut Lab is a comprehensive training & consultancy program supporting feature films at the editing stage.

By providing a creative framework of exchanges that is simultaneously safe and challenging, First Cut Lab aims at enhancing the artistic achievement of the films, and at the same time at fostering their potential of international circulation.

The First Cut Lab welcomes three (3) projects in the editing stage where participants receive expert advice from editor consultants and industry advisors chosen according to the specific needs of each film. 

Once the workshop is over, the participants receive a memo report that can serve as guidance for further editing. Moreover, the online follow-up session will not take place in September, but around 6 weeks after the workshop (mid-June) when the project would need it the most in order to receive feedback on a new version of the cut.


Creative Producers Lab

The Creative Producers Lab is an essential tool to develop the whole ecosystem of a given film industry. Indeed, the role of a creative producer is key to enhancing the production value of the films.

The Creative Producer Lab welcomes eight (8) producers where they shall discuss topics covering the different key areas of this profession: project development, legal & financial issues, and company development.

This lab would be hybrid with two mentors present onsite and some guest speakers who would be participating online.


Story Editing Lab

The Story Editing Lab answers an important need, which is to train film professionals capable of accompanying authors & directors in the creative process – primarily at the script development stage.

These film professionals can be aspiring script consultants, but they can also be scriptwriters, heads of development in production companies, or commissioning editors of broadcasters as well. They should be able to be sparring partners for the authors, able to design and conduct a script & project development path, but also to intervene at the editing stage.

The Story Editing Lab welcomes three (3) participants who shall work hand-in-hand with the Fiction Lab, with 1 Story Editing Lab participant per Fiction Lab group. Each participant will work primarily with the script and production mentors of his group, but he/she will also receive expertise and lectures from mentors from the other groups.


for FICTION LAB for FIRST CUT LAB
  • Duly accomplished application form
  • Dossier of the project including:
    • Logline
    • Short Synopsis 
    • Sequence Treatment
    • Director’s and producer’s intention notes
    • Production budget and financial plan
  • Director’s and producer’s letter of intent
  • Director’s, producer’s and screenwriter’s filmographies
  • Production company profile and filmography
  • Rights to Adaptation (if applicable)
  • High-definition profile photos (.jpg format)
  • All requirements must be submitted in separate PDF documents.
  • Duly accomplished application form
  • A minimum of 30 minutes of scenes from the film with English subtitles. Scenes can be separate and can be in the rough cut.
  • Dossier of the project including: 
    • Logline
    • Short synopsis
    • Director’s and producer’s intention notes
  • Director’s and producer’s letter of intent
  • Director’s, producer’s, and editor’s filmographies
  • Producer’s filmography and production company profile
  • High definition profile photo (.jpg format)
for CREATIVE PRODUCERS LAB for STORY EDITING LAB
  • Duly accomplished application form
  • Letter of intent
  • Filmography
  • Production company profile and filmography
  • Project dossier (if available)
  • High definition profile photo (.jpg format)
  • Duly accomplished application form
  • Letter of intent
  • Filmography
  • Production company profile and filmography
  • High definition profile photo (.jpg format)

All requirements must be submitted in separate PDF documents.

Application form can be downloaded via this link: https://bit.ly/FCLPH2023-ApplicationForm 

LAB GUIDELINES

Full Circle Lab Philippines is open to filmmakers from the Philippines and Southeast Asia countries: Brunei, Cambodia, East-Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Applications for Fiction Lab, Creative Producers Lab, and Story Editing Lab will be accepted until November 11, 2022. Meanwhile, applications for First Cut Lab will be accepted until December 5, 2022. 

  • The application shall be done by submitting a duly accomplished application form and other supporting requirements. All requirements shall be sent to [email protected] with the subject: Full Circle Lab Philippines 2023 [(Lab Category) Application] ex. Full Circle Lab Philippines 2023 [Fiction lab Application].
  • The Full Circle Lab Philippines mentors shall review the materials of eligible applicants and shall confer to select the final selection, ensuring the diversity of the lineup.
  • FDCP will be announcing the final selection of the official projects and participants by February 15, 2023. 
  • The official participants shall agree and sign a Memorandum of Agreement with FDCP upon accepting the terms and lab slot.
  • The official participants shall agree to disclose their vaccination certifications.
  • The FDCP shall cover the costs for flights and accommodations of the participants for the duration of the onsite lab.
  • The official participants shall agree to attend onsite and finish all sessions and meetings assigned to them and participate in the follow-up session in September.
  • The official participants will be given schedules with their assigned Full Circle Lab  Philippines mentors.
  • The official participants must comply and submit their requirements as advised by the mentor and/or the organizers.

ELIGIBILITY

1. For Fiction Lab, the stage of development of each project may vary

  • Projects with or without producer(s) attached will equally be welcomed.
  • There is no need to have financing in place.
  • Participants will be the author(s), and the directors and producers will also be attending if they are attached to the projects.
  • The Labs are open for projects that have not yet entered the pre-production stage.

 

2. For the First Cut Lab, the film’s producer, director, and editor must attend the whole duration of the Editing Lab.

3. For Creative Producers Lab, applicants shall be producers who with or without production companies attached are equally welcomed.

4. For the Story Editing Lab, applicants shall be aspiring script consultants, scriptwriters, heads of development in production companies, or commissioning editors of broadcasters.

 

2019 FIRST CUT LAB PHILIPPINES SELECTED PROJECTS
FICTION / PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

DANCING THE TIDES
Director: Xeph Xuarez
Producer: Alemberg Ang

EVERYBODY LEAVES
Director: Phyllis Grande
Producer: Alemberg Ang

FAN GIRL
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Producer: Dan Villegas & Bianca Balbuena

PURPLE SUN
Director: Carlo Catu
Producer: Bianca Balbuena

KARAOKE NEWS
Director: John Paul Su
Producer: John Paul Su

THANATOS
Director: E Del Mundo
Producer: Pamela Reyes

THE GIRL AND THE GUN
Director: Rae Red
Producer: Iana Bernardez

THE PERILOUS ODYSSEY TO MOUNT GULSUK
Director: Jordan Dela Cruz
Producer: Alemberg Ang, Arleen Cuevas, John Badalu, & Siege Ledesma

FIRST CUT / PROJECTS IN POST-PRODUCTION

HAYOP KA!
Director: Avid Liongoren
Producer: Joyce Bernal, Piolo Pascual, Erickson Delmundo, E Del Mundo

JOHN DENVER TRENDING
Director: Arden Rod Condez
Producer: Sheron Dayoc, Sonny Calvento

DOCS 

AN ELEGY TO FORGETTING
Director: Kristoffer Brugada
Producer: Cha Escala

HOLY CRAFT
Director: Joseph Mangat
Producer: Alemberg Ang

SPRING BY THE SEA
Director: Aleia Garcia
Producer: Jan Carlo Natividad

DAAN PATUNGONG TAWAYA
Director: Kevin Piamonte
Producer: JR Macahilas

LOOTER
Director: Jayson Bernard Santos
Producer: Emmanuel Payumo

MY FATHER THE EXECUTIONER
Director: Cha Escala
Producer: Francis Solajes        


2020 FULL CIRCLE LAB PHILIPPINES SELECTED PROJECTS
FICTION LAB - SOUTHEAST ASIA

CAUSEWAY (Malaysia) 
Director: Aw See Wee 
Producer: Lim Shu Jia 

DON'T CRY BUTTERFLIES (Singapore/Vietnam)
Director:Duong Dieu Linh 
Producer: Tan Si En 

PIERCE (Singapore/Taiwan)
Director: Nelicia Low 
Producers: Sam Chua & Jeremy Chua 

TILL THE CAVE FILLS (Vietnam) 
Director: Nguyen Le Hoang Viet 
Producers: Nguyen Le Hang & Joshua Levy 

FICTION LAB - PHILIPPINES

6TH FINGER
Director: Sheron Dayoc 
Producers: Arden Rod Condez, Sonny Calvento & Alemberg Ang 

BABY ROSE
Director: Giancarlo Abrahan  
Producer:Kriz Gazmen 

DEVILS IN PARADISE
Director: Joe Bacus 
Producer: Benjamin Padero

DEAR WORMWOOD
Director: Eduardo Dayao
Producer: Patti Lapus & Bradley Liew

SERIES LAB

CHILDREN OF THE RUINS (Philippines) 
Director/Writer: Will Fredo
Producer: Jillmer S. Dy

HANOI IN A TREE (Vietnam) 
Director: Andy Nguyen
Producer: Le Quynh Anh

JAJA FIREBRAND (Philippines) 
Director: Bradley Liew 
Producer: Bianca Balbuena

TEMPESTUOUS (Philippines)
Director and Producer: John Torres

ANIMATION LAB

LIGHT LOST (Philippines)  
Director & Producer: Avid Liongren 

OYAYI (Philippines) 
Director: Mitzi Delima 
Producer: Victor Villanueva

STRANGE NATIVES (Philippines) 
Director: Paolo Herras
Producer: Miguel del Mundo

WITH YOU (Philippines)
Director: August Lyle Espino 
Producer: Kim Timan

FIRST CUT LAB

MIRADOR (Philippines) 
Director: Loy Arcenas 
Producer: Alemberg Ang

RETURN OF THE OWL (Philippines)
Director: Martika Escobar 
Producers:Monster Jimenez & Mario Cornejo

CITY OF SMALL BLESSINGS (Singapore) 
Director: Chen-Hsi Wong 
Producers:Fran Borgia

HOURS OF OURS (Thailand)
Director: Komtouch Napattaloong 
Producer: Noorahaya Lahtee


2021 FULL CIRCLE LAB PHILIPPINES SELECTED PROJECTS
FICTION LAB - PHILIPPINES

The Gospel of the Beast 
Director: Sheron Dayoc
Producer: Sonny Calvento

Killing Time in Manila Traffic
Director: Paul Sta. Ana 
Producer: Dan Villegas

RA 8491 or How We Recall Lost Memories in Transit
Director: Austin Tan
Producer: Stelle Laguda

Rookie 
Director: Samantha Lee
Producer: Geo Lomuntad

6th Finger
Director: Sheron Dayoc 
Producers: Arden Rod Condez, Sonny Calvento & Alemberg Ang 

Baby Rose
Director: Giancarlo Abrahan  
Producer:Kriz Gazmen 

Devils in Paradise
Director: Joe Bacus 
Producer: Benjamin Padero

Dear Wormwood
Director: Eduardo Dayao
Producer: Patti Lapus & Bradley Liew

FICTION LAB - SOUTHEAST ASIA

Penumbra (Singapore)
Director: Russell Morton
Producer: Jeremy Chua

Life I Stole (Malaysia)
Director: Putri Sugua
Producer: Cher Kian Tan

The Beer Girl in Yangon (Myanmar)
Director: Sein Lyan Tun
Producer: John Badalu

Picturehouse (Vietnam)
Director: Nghiem-Minh Nguyen-Vo
Producers: Bao Nguyen & Johann Chapelan

SERIES LAB

You + Me = Infinity (Philippines)
Director: Jurex Suson
Producer: Gale Osorio

Sa Aking Mga Kamay: The Rebirth of the Cattleya Killer (Philippines)
Creative Producer: Tanya Winona Bautista-Navarro
Executive Producer: EJ Mallari

Ella Arcangel (Philippines)
Director: Mervin Malonzo
Producer: Emmanuel Angeles

Change of Heart (Philippines)
Director: Petersen Vargas
Producer: Antoinette Jadaone

FIRST CUT LAB

Best of Show (BOS) (Philippines)
Director: Auraeus Solito

Glorious Ashes (Vietnam)
Director: Bui Thac Chuyen
Producer: Ngoc Tran

Dreaming & Dying (Singapore)
Director: Nelson Yeo
Producer: Si En Tan

Autobiography (Indonesia)
Director: Makbul Mubarak
Producer: Yulia Bhara

CREATIVE PRODUCERS LAB

Robert Rodriguez
ERK Production (Philippines)

Patti Lapus
Epicmedia Productions (Philippines)

Jed Medrano
FBN Media Productions (Philippines)

Geo Lomuntad
Project 8 Projects (Philippines)

Carlo Catu
YATU Film Productions (Philippines)

Angelina Marilyn Bok
Xeno Pictures (Singapore)

Xuan Trang Nguyen Thi
LAGI Productions (Vietnam)

Jeanne Sombatwattana
Vertical Films (Thailand)


2022 FULL CIRCLE LAB PHILIPPINES SELECTED PROJECTS
FICTION LAB

Ang Kwento ni Maria, Maria, at Lucia (Between One Lucia and Two Marias)
Philippines
Director: Tyra Alvarade

Dear Family
Indonesia
Director: Monica Vanesa Tedja
Producer: Astrid Saerong, Gugi Gumilang

First Breath After Coma
Indonesia
Director: Jason Iskandar
Producer: Florence Giovani Chandra

Inahing Baka (Mother Maybe)
Philippines
Director: Sonny Calvento
Producer: Krizia Marie Millanes

Mando’s Better World
Philippines
Director: Joel Ruiz
Producer: Monster Jimenez, Margie Templo

Pamilya Anakonda
Philippines
Director: Jonathan James Albano
Producer: Carmi Raymundo

Posthouse
Philippines
Director: Nikolas Red
Producer: Iana Bernardez

Tether
Philippines
Director: Gian Arre
Producer: Anna Valerio

The Scam of Angels
Philippines
Director: Arden Rod Cortez
Producer: Barbara Candano

Unmother
Singapore
Director: Jen Nee Lim
Producer: Ke Ning Lee

Violet Flower
Philippines
Director: Jerome Zamora
Producer: Wilfredo Manalang

Wingboy
Singapore
Director: Grace Ng
Producer: Tan Jia Min

STORY EDITING LAB

Dan Koh (Singapore)
Incantation Films 

Jericho Miguel Aguado  (Philippines)
Southern Lantern Studios 

Paul Sta. Ana (Philippines)
Pelikulaw 

FIRST CUT LAB

Ajoomma
Singapore 
Director: He Shuming
Producer: Anthony Chen
Editor: Armiliah Aripin

Stone Turtle
Malaysia
Director: Woo Ming Jin
Producer: Edmund Yeo 
Editor: Edmund Yeo

Marupok AF (Where is The Lie?)
Philippines
Director: Quark Henares
Producer: Armi Rae Cacanindin, Pauline Zamora 
Editor: Benjamin Tolentino

CREATIVE PRODUCERS LAB

April Batican
Epicmedia Productions Inc. (Philippines)

Beta Giovanni Rahmadeva
QUN Films (Indonesia)

Howard Yambao
Eichef Media\HFilms (Philippines)

Keisha Therese Halili
Micromedia Digital Video Productions (Philippines)

Kyle Nieva
Screen Asia Corporation (Philippines)

Mary Grace Pacat Liew
Foreground Pictures (Malaysia)

Racquel Medina
Southern Lantern Studios & Giya Studios (Philippines)

Sari Raissa Dalena
Kino Arts (Philippines)