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The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has taken a major step toward strengthening the country's regional film industry after holding its first-ever Visayas Guild Summit in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

The gathering, held at Nature's Village Resort, brought together 37 film professionals, community leaders, and both seasoned and aspiring filmmakers from across the Visayas. The summit focused on helping regional film groups become formally organized so they can gain better access to government support, legal protection, and industry opportunities.

FAP Director-General Paolo Villaluna said one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is that around 80 percent of workers in the country's film and audiovisual sector do not have traditional employer-employee arrangements. As a result, many continue to deal with inconsistent contracts, unstable employment, and limited workplace protections.

To address these concerns, the FAP's Film Worker Development Division, headed by Mackie Galvez, introduced a roadmap that will guide informal creative groups toward becoming legally recognized organizations.

The plan encourages film communities to first organize a core leadership team and define their shared goals before moving on to legal registration, establishing membership systems, and securing the necessary permits and financial accounts. Once fully organized, these groups will be linked to national programs, government initiatives, and collaborations with other film organizations across the country.

FAP also emphasized that officially recognized guilds will have greater access to funding opportunities, including Guild Initiative Grants for creative projects and Guild Operational Support Subsidies to help cover administrative expenses.

Another highlight of the summit was the introduction of Sine-Sandigan, a legal assistance platform created to help film workers report contract violations, unpaid work, and unsafe working conditions. The initiative also supports the implementation of the Eddie Garcia Law and existing labor regulations.

The academy likewise announced plans to improve documentation of film professionals nationwide by creating a centralized membership database. The system will provide members with an official Academy Member ID and a public professional profile, making it easier for employers to verify credentials while helping filmmakers connect with production opportunities and government programs.

Following the Visayas gathering, FAP is set to hold its Mindanao Summit in September, followed by a National Summit in November as it continues its effort to strengthen and unify the Philippine film industry.