Photo courtesy: Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona
Filipino cinema took the center stage at the Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (ECIB),one of Spain’s leading film schools, during a recent masterclass hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in partnership with Casa Asia.
The session was led by pioneering filmmaker, historian, and archivist Professor Nick Deocampo, who explored the emergency and evolution of Philippine cinema and its Spanish influences.
Deocampo highlighted how elements of Spanish art, literature, and religious iconography shaped early Filipino visual storytelling, forging a distinct cinematic identity.
“Understanding our film history is key to understanding who we are as a people,” he said.
ECIB Academic Director Pere Alberó welcomed the initiative, noting that the masterclass offered students insight into how cultural intersections between Spain and the Philippines continue to influence artistic expression more than a century after their shared colonial past.
A highlight of the event was the screening of Deocampo’s documentary Cine Tala, subtitled in Spanish. The film examines Filipino cinematic identity through myth and memory and resonated strongly with the students, professors and film enthusiasts
Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro encouraged participants to explore Philippine storytelling further through the 15 Filipino films featured in this year’s Asian Film Festival of Barcelona, describing the collection as “a bridge that brings people together through shared stories and human experiences.”
The session concluded with the donation of Deocampo’s books to ECIB’s library, while Casa Asia expressed its support for future collaborations to promote Philippine film and visual arts in Spain.
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