Quezon City joined UNESCO’s Film Creative Cities Network, becoming one of the first cities in Southeast Asia to receive the designation.
The Philippine metropolis joins a global network of 26 film cities across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Britain’s Bradford won the inaugural title in 2009, followed by Sydney in 2010. Other members include Busan, Galway, Rome, Bristol, Mumbai, Sao Paulo and Wellington. Quezon City and Giza, Egypt are among the newest additions in the 2025 designation round.
This recognition comes as the Philippine metropolis embraced its identity as a QC Film City during this year’s QCinema International Film Festival. The city had previously adopted the QC Film City theme for its festival and declared itself the capital of Philippine cinema.
“QC Film City is now a name forever etched in the legacy of all the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers who have shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. “From the golden age of Sampaguita Pictures, to the brilliance of icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generation of creators who are bringing our stories to life today, this recognition honors each and every one of them.”
The UNESCO designation will allow Quezon City to strengthen worker protections through the Eddie Garcia Act, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for film workers. The city also plans to develop sustainable talent programs and pursue global visibility for Filipino filmmakers.
Spearheading Quezon City’s application starting in 2023, the Quezon City Film Commission is rolling out three major initiatives. One is the QC Screen Academy, a public training hub offering skills development across film development, production, distribution and marketing. The Global Producers Exchange is a platform that brings together producers from Southeast Asia and other UNESCO Creative Cities for cooperation. The Southeast Asia Film Summit brings together industry leaders, film commissions and policy makers annually to discuss regulation, incentives and funding.
“This achievement is the culmination of years of collaboration, vision, and belief in the power of storytelling to shape our collective identity,” said QCFC Secretary-General Lisa Digno, crediting Belmonte’s “unwavering vision” in achieving this milestone. “Her leadership has shown that creativity is not just an outcome of governance, but the very soul of governance.”
Diño emphasized that the designation is “a call to deepen our commitment to creative governance and cultural sustainability,” adding that the city is “ready to take on this responsibility, open the door to collaboration, and continue to build a city where stories flourish and creativity empowers all citizens.”
Belmonte emphasized that while the recognition is an important accomplishment, “the work begins again tomorrow” as efforts continue to shine a spotlight on local film professionals and provide residents with access to quality films.
