Producer Bianca Balbuena’s journey began at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, where her film “Engkwentro” faced a technical hiccup but ultimately won two awards. Inspired by the passion of producers she encountered there, Balbuena founded Epicmedia Productions and has since produced notable films such as “A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery” and “Nocebo.”
This year, Epicmedia co-produced short films for the Directors’ Factory project in Dapitan, Philippines, and premiered “Viet and Nam” at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which tells the story of two young lovers searching for Nam’s father’s remains, was shot in Vietnam but is technically considered a Filipino film due to its ban in Vietnam.
Balbuena emphasizes the importance of attending festivals, networking, and building relationships with filmmakers for aspiring producers. She also expresses her hope for a future where women filmmakers are recognized simply as filmmakers without gender distinctions.
Reflecting on her own career, Balbuena says, “I don’t want to direct. I want to help the director and be part of the whole creative process.” She credits her passion for producing to the filmmakers she has worked with, saying, “If you find that spirituality you’re looking for in a filmmaker, you kind of know already.”
Balbuena advises aspiring filmmakers to attend festivals, watch world cinema, and build a network. She also highlights the importance of storytelling and personal connection to the filmmaker, saying, “Stories should always be personal. Even if it didn’t happen to you, it should always have a personal connection to the filmmaker.”
Balbuena believes that the film industry is opening up, with festivals requiring at least 40% of films to be directed by women. However, she also acknowledges the distinction between being a good filmmaker and being a woman filmmaker, saying, “It’s a very blurred distinction between whether am I a good filmmaker or am I just a woman filmmaker.”
Despite the challenges, Balbuena remains optimistic about the future of women in film, saying, “Their voices are stronger, more unapologetic… But if that’s an advantage or a disadvantage, it’s okay because we’re always at a disadvantage.”
In addition to her work with Epicmedia, Balbuena is involved in several upcoming projects, including a UK Singapore Philippine production called “Filipiñana” and a slate of genre films with international collaborators. She is also exploring the possibility of bringing a famous French director to the Philippines to shoot a film with Léa Seydoux.
