28 July 2005 – Acting Head of Post Raul S. Hernandez of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that top Canadian animation companies have established partnerships with Philippine animation studios pursuant to a co-production agreement between the Philippines and Canada that allowed for the sharing of financing costs between production companies.

Mr. Hernandez said that animation studios such as Atomic Cartoons and Studio B Productions have linked with companies in the Philippines such as the Philippine Animation Studio (PASI) and Top Draw Animation because the Philippine Government has been quick in getting these partnerships set up, in addition to the fact that the Philippines has been an animation center since the 1970s, and that Filipino proficiency in English ensures that there is no language barrier between Canadian and Philippine partners.

These partnerships were made in accordance with the provisions of the “Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Canada” – signed on 16 October 1998 – that aims “to establish a framework for audio-visual relations, particularly for film, television and video co-productions” and “contribute to the further expansion of the film, television and video production and distribution industries of both countries as well as to the development of their cultural and economic exchanges.”

The Agreement provides the opportunity for production companies to achieve an overall balance “with respect to financial participation as well as creative personnel, technicians, performers, and facilities (studio and laboratory).”    It also allows for co-productions between Philippine and Canadian companies to enjoy benefits such as “the temporary entry and re-export of any equipment necessary for the co-production” and “the entry into and temporary residence in their respective territories of the creative and technical personnel and the performers engaged by the co-producer of the other country for the purpose of the co-production.”  The co-productions will also be considered as ‘national productions’ in each of the two countries, entitling such co-productions all benefits available for national productions.

Mr. Hernandez further reported that these partnerships of Philippine and Canadian animation companies have been extensively reported in the Canadian media.  He cited a newspaper article on this subject matter wherein Mr. Rob Davies, co-founder of Atomic Cartoons, said in an interview: “We have had relationships in the Philippines for years.”  Atomic Cartoons produces the hit show Atomic Betty, and is now working with Manila-based PASI to co-produce a new series called Captain Flamingo.

In the same news article, Mr. Chris Bartleman, partner at Studio B, said “the government body in the Philippines is quick to get these things turned around.  It has been very proactive.”  Studio B is working with Top Draw Animation, another Manila-based company, on Class of the Titans and Being Ian.  END