The province of Ilocos Norte is strengthening its film tourism industry as local filmmakers showcase their talent and creativity through the ongoing Lawag Ilocos Norte Film Festival, signaling a new phase in the province’s film development efforts.

Provincial tourism officer Aianree Raquel said the screening of competing films at Robinsons Ilocos Movieworld marks a significant step in providing quality grants and venues to give local filmmakers more opportunities to grow and expand their market.

“We’ve been aiming to have our own provincial film festival — of course, reclaiming and strengthening the national importance of Ilocos Norte as a film destination. In the past, we hosted so many films here that were produced by non-Ilocanos,” Raquel said.

He said organizers are exploring opportunities to bring screenings to commercial venues and eventually market local films to producers, creating wider opportunities for Ilocano filmmakers.

The provincial government is preparing the next phase of its film tourism strategy, with stronger support for the creative sector under Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos. An upcoming Film Tourism and Media Incentives Conference on July 10 will gather local stakeholders and national guests to discuss filmmaking as both a cultural and economic driver.

“We Ilocanos have a lot of culture that is very unique and deserves to be given a spotlight, not just in different aspects of the arts but specifically in film,” Lawag festival director Gabb Gantala said.

The inaugural competition showcases Ilokano creativity across three categories. Narrative Films entries include “Denouement” (Edsel Harry Turda), “Nagmanto” (Melver Ritz Gomez), “Pagsungrod” (Joseph Ansino), “Pusok Indengam Man” (Benedict Jay Collado), and “Ta Dutdot Mo Kalilibnusan” (Kim Angela Santos and Ryand Ugalde). Documentary Films feature “Gaud” (Jhayzen Parañal), “Parola” (Clark Duldulao), and “Ti Karayan Bislak ken Dagiti Babbai ti Canaam” (Romel Pascua). Student Films include “Kung ‘Di Minamadali” (Maurice Kim Camillon) and “Noon na Lang ang Noon” (Leizel Gantala).

The festival is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel, providing Ilokano filmmakers with a national platform.

In 2012, the Media Incentive Desk under the provincial government was created to promote Ilocos Norte’s cinematic landscape as a film destination to draw tourism and business activities for locals. (PNA)