Quezon City has joined UNESCO‘s Creative Cities of Film Network, becoming one of the first Southeast Asian cities to earn the designation.
The Philippine metropolis joins a global network of 26 Cities of Film spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Bradford, U.K. claimed the inaugural title in 2009, followed by Sydney in 2010. Other members include Busan, Galway, Rome, Bristol, Mumbai, São Paulo, and Wellington. Quezon City and Giza, Egypt were among the newest additions in the 2025 designation round.
The recognition arrives as the Philippine metropolis embraces its identity as QC Film City during this year’s QCinema International Film Festival. The city had previously declared itself as the heart of Philippine cinema, adopting the QC Film City theme for the festival.
“QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in the legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. “From the golden era of Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generation of creators bringing our stories to life today – this recognition honors each and every one of them.”
The UNESCO designation positions Quezon City to strengthen labor protections through the Eddie Garcia Law, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for film workers. The city also plans to develop sustainable talent programs and pursue global recognition for Filipino filmmakers.
Spearheading the city’s application since 2023, the Quezon City Film Commission is rolling out three major initiatives: QC Screen Academy, a public training hub offering skills development across film development, production, distribution and marketing; Global Producers Exchange, a platform connecting producers from Southeast Asia and other UNESCO Creative Cities for collaboration; and the Southeast Asia Film Summit, an annual gathering of industry leaders, film commissions and policymakers to discuss regulations, incentives and financing.
“This achievement is the culmination of years of collaboration, vision, and belief in the power of storytelling to shape our collective identity,” said QCFC executive director Liza Diño, crediting Belmonte’s “unwavering vision” for the milestone. “Her leadership has shown that creativity is not an afterthought of governance, but its very soul.”
Diño emphasized the designation represents “a call to deepen our commitment to creative governance and cultural sustainability,” adding that the city is “ready to take on this responsibility, to open our doors to collaboration, and to continue building a city where stories thrive and creativity empowers every citizen.”
Belmonte underscored that while the recognition marks a significant achievement, “the work starts again tomorrow,” with initiatives continuing to spotlight local film workers and provide quality film access to residents.
