On December 5, the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI) welcomed Don Gervin Arawan, Head of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA) under the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), for his visit. Building upon past collaborations in film festivals, screenings, and international audiovisual events, this visit represents a new stage in Taiwan–Philippines cooperation in film preservation, restoration, and curatorial exchange.
The relationship between TFAI and FDCP dates back to the 2024 Lumière Festival, where both institutions participated for the first time with restored films selected for Lumière Classics — TFAI with The Woman of Wrath and PFA with Jaguar. During the festival, TFAI’s Deputy Director of Administration, LIN Ying-chih met Head Arawan. Following this encounter PFA and FDCP expressed interest in TFAI’s film catalog for future curatorial reference, laying a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration.
➤ Don Gervin Arawan, Head of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA), visited TFAI and toured the institute's facilities. (Courtesy of TFAI)
In November 2024, two FDCP executives also visited TFAI, where both institutions exchanged insights on archival preservation, further deepening collaboration prospects.
In 2025, TFAI facilitated its first formal collaboration with FDCP’s Distribution and Exhibition Division, enabling two restored classics — The Wedding Banquet and Rebels of the Neon God — to be screened at the PeliKULAYa: International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in July. This marked a significant milestone in bilateral collaboration and introduced Taiwan Cinema to a broader audience in the Philippines.
➤ TFAI collaborated with FDCP to present two restored classics at the PeliKULAYa: International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in July. (Courtesy of FDCP)
FDCP is a national film policy agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines. Led by Chairperson and CEO Jose Javier Reyes, a renowned filmmaker, the institution oversees talent development, international promotion, film incentives, and the national film rating system across its various divisions.
Established in 2011, the Philippine Film Archive (PFA) serves as the national institution responsible for preserving the country’s audiovisual heritage. A member of SEAPAVAA and an Associate Member of FIAF since 2020, PFA holds a collection of more than 31,000 items, including film prints, digital assets, and related documentation.
In recent years, PFA has actively restored significant works such as Jaguar, ’Merika, Insiang, and Manila in the Claws of Light, many of which are now accessible to the public via FDCP’s streaming platform JuanFlix.
➤ Don Gervin Arawan, Head of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA), visited TFAI and toured the institute's facilities. (Courtesy of TFAI)
During his visit to TFAI, Head Arawan toured the institute’s facilities and engaged in in-depth discussions on archival workflows and staffing, digital restoration methods, collection scale, and technical infrastructure. He expressed particular appreciation for TFAI’s well-equipped facilities and shared that their archive is scheduled to move into a new building next January. The two institutions also explored potential avenues for regular exchanges and future collaborative film programs.
This visit offered TFAI valuable insights into the challenges faced by the Philippines in building a national film preservation framework and laid the groundwork for future regional cooperation in safeguarding audiovisual heritage.
➤ Don Gervin Arawan, Head of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA), engaged in discussions with TFAI Executive Director Iris DU and Deputy Director of Administration, LIN Ying-chih. (Courtesy of TFAI)
TFAI has actively strengthened connections with international organizations such as FIAF and SEAPAVAA in recent years. Hosting the PFA Head further enhances opportunities for closer Taiwan–Philippines collaboration in preservation, research, and cultural exchange.