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Film industry of the Philippines
Even with the problems currently facing motion pictures around the world, films are still considered one of the popular forms of entertainment among the Filipino people, directly employing some 260,000 Filipinos and generating around ₱2 billion revenues annually. Among its neighbors in Southeast Asia, Philippine cinema remains as the strongest in the Southeast Asian region with the majority of films made in the region came from the Philippines along with the film industries of Thailand and Indonesia. The Film Development Council of the Philippines established a national film archive in October 2011. Furthermore, their annually held Luna Awards honor the outstanding Filipino films as voted by their own peers. Meanwhile, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino hands out the Gawad Urian Awards, which is well known due to its credible choices of winners.

During the Japanese Occupation, filmmaking was suddenly put to a halt. As was the case in Japan's other colonial and occupied film markets, Japanese film companies took over the local exhibition venues replacing films from the Hollywood and the region with Japanese films for propaganda. Japanese films had been imported into the Philippines since the late 1930s but without great success. Japanese sponsored film production in the Philippines continued until 1945 but was limited mostly to newsreels and educational films. Although the Philippines never became a center for feature film production under the Japanese, it was a strategically important market for Japan. First, unlike Manchuria, where the Japanese literally had to construct a film industry, the Philippines already had many large, well equipped motion picture theaters that were well stocked with significant Hollywood product. Many confiscated films were exported back to Japan to train its filmmakers. Production facilities were better in the Philippines than any other market in the Japanese empire with the exception of Shanghai. This was another reason why such Japanese film companies as the Nanyo Film Association (南洋映画協会) and Film Distributors (映画配給者) each established branch offices in Manila in 1942. Further, due to the long period of American influence, the local film community boasted a significant number of people who had worked in Hollywood during the silent era and had considerable experience. In 1944, Toho Studios sent director Abe Yutaka to Manila to produce the first of what would be the only two feature films to be entirely shot on location by the Japanese. Ano hata o ute (あの旗を撃て) aka Dawn of Freedom told the story of the Japanese victory at the Battle of Corregidor and the U. S. military's hasty retreat from the islands. The film presented the Japanese as Asian liberators who came to free the Filipinos from decades of colonial oppression that began with the Spanish and continued with the Americans. The film was shot in Japanese, Tagalog, and English and was written for the screen by Tsutomo Sawamura, co directed by Gerardo de Leon (uncredited), and co starred Fernando Po and Leopold Celecdo. The other Japanese produced feature film shot in the Philippines was Tatlong Maria (1944). At the same time, the comedy duo Pugo and Togo, popular for satirizing Japanese occupation in the Philippines, was renamed to Tuguing and Puguing because of Togo name's closeness to Tojo, the name of the Prime Minister of Japan during the early 1940s. However, perhaps out of deference to the substantial local Japanese population, film censors were sensitive to Japanese complaints about negative representations of Japanese in U. S. films screened in the Philippines and aggressively cut scenes depicting Japanese soldiers committing atrocities in Thunder in the Orient (1939) and Fight For Peace (1939) years before Japanese military occupation. During World War II, almost all actors depended only on stage shows on most major Manila movie theaters as livelihood. As a consequence, live theater began to thrive again as movie stars, directors and technicians returned to the stage.

After the second world war, a resurgence of Visayan films came about through Lapu Lapu Pictures, which produced Timbu Mata (1948), starring Eva de Villa and Lino Ramas, and Damgo ni Adan (Adan's Dream), produced by Rudy Robles. Then came Mactan Films which produced Tahas (Mission; 1950), starring Luz Celeste and Dakay; Mat Ranillo was in this film. Then Balud (Wave; 1950) which starred Luz Celeste and Mat Ranillo. Another independent picture, Sa Kabukiran (In the Mountains; 1948), was also produced during this time. By 1951, Azucena Productions was established by the Arong Family (owners of Rene and Liberty Theaters). They produced Princesa Tirana (Princess Tirana), 1951 with Mat Ranillo and Gloria Sevilla (her first feature title role after she was discovered through a declamation contest at the University of the Visayas) as lead players. Their first feature together made such a box office success in the Visayas and Mindanao that other features immediately followed: Leonora (1951), Pailub Lang (Be Forebearing; 1951), Utlanan (Border; 1952), Handumanan (Memoir; 1953), Inahan (Mother; 1952), starring Mat Ranillo and Caridad Sanchez; Antigan (1952) with Virgie Postigo and Arise Roa; Carmen 1 and 2 (from the famous radio drama in Cebu; 1953), Paabuta Lang Ako (Wait for Me; 1953), Gloria Kong Anak (Gloria My Child; 1953), and Gihigugma Kong Ikaw (I Love You; 1954). Mat and Gloria then became synonymous to Visayan pictures, and since then were called as the King and Queen of Visayan Movies. In 1953 a film entitled Sangang Nangabali (Broken Branches), produced by Cebu Stars Production broke box office records in the mid 1950s. Cebu Stars Productions (owned by the Tojong Family) had earlier produced Dimakaling (1952) and Mga Anak Intawon (Oh, Poor Children; 1953). Other independent Visayan films produced at this time were: Mapait Ang Balaod (by Arturo Blanco; 1953), Bugas Mais (Corn Rice; by Arturo Blanco; 1953), Kapintas Sa Kinabuhi (Hard Life; 1953), (Cebu Stars Productions with Esterlina and Rebecca Torres), Pit Senor (Hail Senor) and San Tilmo (1953), (Barba Productions), Ang Siloy (1953) (with Nora Hermosa and Rebecca Torres), Huni sa Gugma (Where Is Love; 1953), Dadansoy (1953) and Inahan (Mother; 1954). Mutya and VM Productions (formed by Natalio Bacalso – former Cebu assemblyman) entered Salingsing sa Kasakit (Partner in Pain), directed by Bacalso, in the 1955 FAMAS derby and won the "Best Child Actor Award" for Undo Juezan. These movie outfits also produced some memorable features such as Ungo Sa Parian (Witch In The Parian); Remember Erlinda;Rosita; Politika (Politics); and Mutya sa Saging Tindok (Muse of Saging Tindok). Garbosa (Proud; 1957) and Matam is Ang Pagpaubos (Too Sweet to Suffer; 1957) were also released during this time. Mat ang Gloria finally got married off screen (in real life) and formed S R Productions in 1954. The company's initial projects were Paradista (1955) and May Luhang Nahabilin sa Baybayon (A Tear Fell on the Shore; 1955) and even as they moved on to make Tagalog movies in Manila, they still continued producing Visayan movies like (It is the Palm That Commands) with Flash Elorde and Edita Clomera; Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot Lungsod Sa Buenavista (Town of Buenavista; 1969), and Hain Ang Langit (Where is Heavean? ; 1969), with Gloria Sevilla and Mat Ranillo and Von Serna – this is Mat's last movie. Badlis sa Kinabuhi (The Line of Life; 1969) was entered in the 18th FAMAS Awards and got 12 nominations out of 14 categories. Gloria Sevilla won Best Actress, Frankie Navaja, Jr. won Best Child Performer, and the late Mat Ranillo got a posthumous award (Mat Ranillo had earlier died in a plane crash in 1969). The film (Badlis) was the Philippine entry to the ASEAN Film Festival in Indonesia, and was showcased under the informative division of the Berlin Film Festival (the film was dubbed in English in Hong Kong and retitled "Destined"). In 1970, Badlis Sa Kinabuhi and Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot were released in their original Visayan versions in Metro Manila and made good at the box office. Ang Bayan (The Country), 1970 was also produced at this time. The 1970s saw the emergence of more Visayan talents in the Tagalog film industry. Actresses such as Chanda Romero, Caridad Sanches, Alma Moreno, Tessie Sevilla, Rebecca Torres, Aurora Villa, Eva de Villa, Rosita Fernandez, Virgie Postigo, Virgie Solis, Olivia Solis, Cora Real, Diana Arong, Luz Celeste, Annabelle Rama, Suzette Ranillo, Lady Ramos, Pilar Pilapil, and others stepped into the limelight. Male leads (to name a few) were Bert Nombrado, Ber Lopez, Tony Delgado, Riel Ylaya, Lino Ramas, Arturo Blanco, Arturo de Castille, Frankie Navaja Jr, Tony Cruz, Undo Juezan, Felix de Catalina, Arsie Roa, Warfi Engracia, Kadyo Roma and Romy Kintanar (who is now a sports commentator). Directors Leroy Salvador, Fernando Alfon, Talyo Bacalso, Sat Villarino, Gene Labella, Leox Juesan, Cesar B. Cesar and Emmanuel H. Borlaza also originated from the south. Borlaza directed Alma Bonita (with Chanda Romero and Ernie Garcia) and Paypay Placid (Fan of Placid), Diadem Films, (with Pepito Rodriguez, Lilian Lain, Alice Mendez, and Justo C. Justo). Other films that were produced at this time were Medalyon Nga Bulawan (Medalyon Na Ginto), produced by Annabelle Rama, starring Bert Leroy, Gina Pareno, Jerry Pons, Charlie Davao, Johnny Delgado, Raul Aragon, Alice Mendez, and Yoyoy Villame; (with Nobo Bono, Jr. and Tessie Sevilla); Mayor AndalBatul of Mactan (Battle of Mactan), JRJ Productions, starring Chanda Romero, Eddie Peregrina and Alice Mendez; Anino sa Villa Lagrimas (Shadow of Villa Lagrimas), starring Chanda Romero and Ernie Garcia; Bulawan Sa Lapok (Gold in the Mud), starring Alicia Alonzon, Bert Leroy Jr., Tommy Abuel and Dindo Fernando; Antonio Solitaryo and Mga Milagaro sa Santo Niño (Miracles of Sto. Niño), Magnolia Films both directed by Sol Gaudite; Aliyana, 1974; and Ikaduhang Bathala (Second God), 1974. Gloria Sevilla remarried in 1971, and together with her husband Amado Cortez (of the Padilla clan) went on to produce another Visayan film entitled Gimingaw Ako (I Long For You), 1974 (which was shot entirely in Cebu City and directed by Amado Cortez starring Gloria Sevilla, Suzette Ranillo, Bert Nombrado and Inday Nita Cortez). This film won the FAMAS "Best Actress Award" for Gloria Sevilla and "Best Supporting Actress Award" for Suzette Ranillo. Naghila Ako Sa Kahilum (Crying Silently) also came about within the year. Other independent productions were: Diego Salvador, 1973; Ang Pagbabalik ni Diego Salvador (The Return of Diego Salvador), 1974 with Von Serna; and Sabrin, 1975 with Chanda Romero and Rebecca Torres. Visayan film producers continued trying to revive the Visayan movies in the mid seventies by filming in the 16mm format and transferring the material to 35mm for theatrical release. Films such as Ang Manok ni San Pedro (St. Peter's Rooster), 1975 and Itlog Manoy Orange (The Orange Egg Vendor), 1976 were originally shot in 16mm. This less costly process, however, did not prevent the Visayan film industry from finally going into a dormant stage. The Tagalog film industry was just at an upswing at this time, prompting Visayan producers to venture into television production instead. It was not until 1991 that another Visayan film project was brought to the big screen. Eh Kasi Babae (Because She Is a Woman) starring Pilita Corales, Yoyoy Villame and Manilyn Reynes was produced, then followed by Matud Nila (They Say; 1991) (Bisaya Films, Inc. produced by James R. Cuenco, Jr.). This starred Gloria Sevilla, Mat Ranillo III, Suzette Ranillo, Dandin Ranillo, Juni Ranillo, Pilar Pilapil, Jennifer Sevilla, Mark Gil and Pinky Marquez. Matud Nila also marked the last film directed by Leroy Salvador.

This era is characterized by rampant commercialism with James Bond and Western knock offs, and in the later 1960s, the so called bomba (soft porn) pictures. It was also the era of musical films produced mostly by Sampaguita Pictures and their discovered talents. The studio systems came under siege from the growing labor movement, which resulted in labor management conflicts. The first studio to close was Lebran followed by Premiere Productions then LVN. Those production studios were replaced by new and independent producers like Regal Films, which was established by Lily Monteverde in 1962. The decade also saw the emergence of the youth subculture best represented by the Beatles and rock and roll. As a result, certain movie genres were made to cater to this trend. Fan movies and teen love team ups emerged, showing Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, along with Tirso Cruz III and Edgar Mortiz as their respective screen sweethearts. In addition, movie genres showing disaffection to the status quo during the era were also popular. Action movies with Pinoy cowboys and secret agents as the movers of the plots depicted a "society ravaged by criminality and corruption". The producer of the film was Luis Nepomuceno, son of Filipino filmmaker Jose Nepomuceno. The company that produced the film went bankrupt, as the banned screening prevented them from recouping production costs. In pity, Imelda Marcos offered loans to the company through government banks. However, the bank would then go on to foreclose the film company. The film portrayed the story of Ferdinand Marcos' life in the Philippine Military. There have been allegations that the film was propaganda intended to portray Marcos as a war hero who fought against the Japanese in World War II. Although the film was banned, it was allowed to make its cinematic debut in 1987, after the EDSA Revolution. In spite of the censorship, the exploitation of sex and violence onscreen continued to assert itself. Under martial law, action films usually append an epilogue like claims that social realities depicted had been wiped out with the establishment of the New Society. The notorious genre of sex or bomba films still existed but in a milder, less overt way like female stars swimming in their underwear or taking a bath in their chemise, labeled as the "wet look". An example of the trend was the 1974 hit movie Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (The Most Beautiful Animal on the Face of the Earth) which featured former Miss Universe Gloria Díaz and filmed in the famed Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo. The same year, Viva Films was established and began its rise as a production company. Also in 1981, first lady Imelda Marcos organized the first Manila International Film Festival (MIFF). The objective was to promote Filipino films for them to be distributed worldwide. A lavish event took place January 18–29, 1982, major entertainment figures were present including Priscilla Presley, Franco Nero, Brooke Shields, Jeremy Irons, etc. Local filmmakers saw it as a real opportunity to showcase their talents. The spy comedy spoof For Your Height Only (1981) turned Ernesto dela Cruz, better known as Weng Weng, in a short lived international star and gave him the notoriety to become a unique figure in cinema being a short person who performs death defying stunts. At the event, For Your Height Only outsold every other films on foreign sales, while dela Cruz was the mediatic center of attention and the breakthrough celebrity. Marcos' daughter Imee said dela Cruz's success shocked and shattered everyone's artistic aspirations. Filipino film historians Teddy Co and Ed Lejano said that in the film industry the Weng Weng image was uncomfortable since at the time they had no other international figures. The film became Philippines' highest exported film, and within their acting community dela Cruz's international reach hasn't been topped. The second MIFF took place from January 24 February 4, 1983. 280 local and foreign films were screened out of competition in the 12 day festival while 22 films from 21 countries competed for seven different categories. Despite the festival’s financial success, the festival received criticisms from the Catholic Church, film censors, and civic groups. Cardinal Jaime Sin, Archbishop of Manila, criticized the festival’s organizers, Johnny Litton and First Lady Imelda Marcos, for allowing the screening of soft core pornographic movies in participating theaters. Board of Review for Motion Pictures and Television Chairman Maria Kalaw Katigbak also questioned the legality of showing films banned by the board in commercial cinemas. Because of the controversies and public outcry, the succeeding Manila International Film Festivals were permanently canceled. During the closing years of martial rule, a number of films defiant of the Marcos dictatorship were made. Films such as Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Karnal implicitly depicted this defiance in the film's plot, wherein patricide ended a tyrannical father's domination. In the same year, Mike de Leon's Sister Stella L., a movie about oppression and tyranny was shown on the big screen. In 1985, Lino Brocka's This Is My Country depicted images of torture, incarceration, struggles and oppression. The Philippines' most political filmmaker was Lino Brocka (1939–1991). His works such as Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) and Fight for Us (1989) were considered the opening and the end of the golden age of film in the country. Brocka's works were committed to an anti Marcos, anti authoritarian type of politics and highly valued the freedom of artistic expression. He contributed in the building of a post Marcos Philippines and was able to help topple the Marcos dictatorship through his active participation in cultural and social activities. His films told the story of the underclass' struggle, the dark side of a sprawling metropolis and featured poverty stricken locations which were able to make a statement with regards to the Marcos' autocratic rule and human rights violations. He was also notably part of the group of filmmakers, artists and cultural workers that formed the Free Artist Movement which eventually became the Concerned Artists of the Philippines. This group challenged the censorship practice that the Marcoses imposed on all artistic media.

By the time the People Power Revolution deposed Ferdinand Marcos from the presidency, most Filipino films were mass produced with quality sacrificed for commercial success. Storylines were unimaginative and predictable, comedy was slapstick, and the acting was either mediocre or overly dramatic. Producers resorted to formulas that worked well in the past that cater to the standards and tastes of the masses, Romantic dramas, broad comedy films and soft pornographic pictures composed the majority of the genre produced, while the action genre became especially prevalent during this period; in 1992, critic Justino Dormiendo observed that "the action flick itself remains as the most abused genre in our time." In reviewing the acclaimed American drama film Stand by Me, JC Nigado of the Manila Standard stated that he was disturbed while viewing the film because "I was hard put trying to figure out what local movie could have approximated it. And it bothered me that I couldn't think of any." the number of films annually produced by the industry declined throughout the 1980s, although the number was still more than 200 films a year. Majority of them were pito pito films, shot in seven to ten days and aimed at quickly recouping their minimal costs. Attendance in theaters rose and several productions became huge successes. New laws were also introduced that gave more rights to women, causing several female directors to launch careers. Aside from competition with Hollywood films, and rise of cable television further contributed for the trimming down of production costs of film outfits that resulted to falling box office receipts of domestic films, and the eventual precarious state of the local film industry. In 1993, a media conglomerate, ABS CBN Corporation, ventured into film production when their newly established subsidiary Star Cinema produced Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo in cooperation with Regal Films. Five years later, another television station, GMA Network, started producing films. GMA Films released the critically acclaimed Sa Pusod ng Dagat , Jose Rizal, and Muro Ami, which attained commercial success. In 1997, the country produced its first ever full length theatrical animated film, Adarna: The Mythical Bird, directed by Geirry A. Garccia.

An economic slump experienced by the film industry in the 2000s led to the near extinction of local action films. A new sense of excitement and trend enveloped the industry with the coming of digital and experimental cinema. Following the winning of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2000 of Raymond Red's short film Anino (Shadows), the 1999 digital feature film Still Lives by Jon Red pioneered this digital revolution; many other digital filmmakers soon followed suit. Cheaper production cost using digital media over film has helped the rebirth of independent filmmaking. Hailed as the inspiration to French New Wave in digital form, this decade saw the proliferation of digital films by independent filmmakers with international reach and caliber, and the introduction of locally produced animated features. It was in 1999 that digital cinema was introduced in the Philippines but by then, the film industry was already dwindling in numbers. But signs of resurgence came by way of movies with inspirational themes. In 2002, Gil Portes released Mga Munting Tinig (Small Voices), a subdued movie about a teacher who inspired her students to follow their dreams; the movie also implied improving the country's education system. A year later, Mark Meily's comedy Crying Ladies, about three Filipinas working as professional mourners in Manila's Chinatown but looking for other ways to earn a living, became a huge hit. Also that same year, Maryo J. de los Reyes made a buzz at various film festivals with Magnifico, a simple film with universal appeal about a boy trying to help his family survive their hardships. Filipino digital films, made in almost no time and with meager budget, were strongly represented in international film festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Vienna and Rotterdam. with several winning prizes and awards. Among the more prominent winners were Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005) by Auraeus Solito, Kubrador (2006) by Jeffrey Jeturian, Todo Todo Teros (2006) by John Torres, Endo (2007) by Jade Castro, Tribu (2007) by Jim Libiran. In December 2009, a House Bill authored by Buhay Party List Representative Irwin Tieng reducing the amusement tax imposed on local films from 30% to 10% was signed into law as Republic Act 9640, culminating more than two decades of attempts to lower the film tax. 2010 saw the release of an eponymous documentary film, Philippine New Wave: This Is Not a Film Movement, which documented the rise of internationally acclaimed digital filmmakers from the Philippines, and widely popularized the description of this era as the "Philippine New Wave".

2011 is the most fruitful year in Philippine Cinema history as 3 films produced within the year (all from Star Cinema) landed in the top 3 of the highest grossing Filipino films of all time. Wenn Deramas' The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin grossed ₱331.6 million in box office and became the highest grossing local film in the Philippines. No Other Woman grossed ₱278.39 million while 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival ("MMFF") entry Enteng Ng Ina Mo, has a gross income of ₱237.89 million (as of 2012) and considered the highest grossing MMFF entry of all time. However, Sisterakas , a Kris Aquino Ai Ai delas Alas Vice Ganda movie, replaced the title of Enteng ng Ina Mo and the Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin as it became the highest grossing Filipino film and highest grossing MMFF entry of all time. In 2013, It Takes a Man and a Woman, the third film of the A Very Special Love series of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz, made many box office records, one of which is being the current "Highest Grossing Filipino Film of All Time", replacing Sisterakas. It made ₱375,024,507 during its theatrical run in the Philippines and ₱211,573,332 overseas, for a total of ₱586,597,839 worldwide until Vice Ganda's Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy and Kris Aquino's My Little Bossings (both are MMFF entries) surpassed their local box office record and battle for the first spot
In 2014, The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin, another Vice Ganda film, breaks his own record again with an estimated gross of PHP450,000,000.00. Meanwhile, the sequel of Kris Aquino's Feng Shui series is the highest grossing Filipino horror film. In 2015, a new box office breaking record has been set as A Second Chance, the sequel of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's One More Chance earns PHP 556,000,000 worldwide surpassing Phenomenal Box Office Star Vice Ganda's The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin. It is surpassed again by a Star Cinema, Viva Films produced film Beauty and the Bestie still starred by the "Phenomenal Box Office Star" Vice Ganda. The mid 2010s also saw broader commercial success of films produced by independent studios, with Antoinette Jadaone's Cinema One Originals Film Festival entry That Thing Called Tadhana achieving commercial success upon its commercial release in 2015, becoming the highest grossing independently produced Filipino film of all time in under 3 weeks despite facing piracy issues online during its run. September 2015 saw the release of Jerrold Tarog's Heneral Luna, a 2015 historical biopic film depicting General Antonio Luna's leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American War, produced by an independent outfit called Artikulo Uno Productions. Because it was independently produced, Heneral Luna initially fell prey to the commercial theater practice of dropping films after only a few screening days on the first week. But praise from critics and audiences alike, praising the film's writing, plot, acting, and cinematography resulted in a word of mouth campaign to bring the movie back to theaters. As a result, Heneral Luna become the highest grossing Filipino historical film of all time on its third week in cinemas. Similar word of mouth campaigns would allow critically acclaimed films like Antoinette Jadaone's That Thing Called Tadhana (commercially released in 2015) to achieve broad commercial success even if they did not benefit from the large promotional budget and television cross promotion enjoyed by commercial studio films. The COVID 19 pandemic had an enormously negative effect on the film industry. According to producer Josabeth Alonso, nearly every local film released in 2022 was not able to earn more than ₱10 million in grosses.

Censorship in the Philippines truly began under the reign of the Spaniards, who prohibited works that were deemed revolutionary. While they prohibited literary, musical, and visual forms of art, film censorship was included in the picture upon the American colonization. When the Americans took over after the Spanish–American War in 1898, a brief stint of Philippine cultural freedom after independence from Spain was halted. General Arthur MacArthur's military censorship focused on repressing nationalism, along with the Flag Act of 1907. Because film in itself was only beginning to form at the time, motion pictures brought to the Philippines were tame, and film was not yet seen as an avenue for social and cultural subversion. In 1929, the Philippine Legislature creates Act. No. 3582, titled "An Act to Create a Board of Censorship for Moving Pictures and Define Its Functions". The board consisted of 15 members that sought "to examine all films, spoken or silent, imported or produced in the Philippine Islands, and prohibit the introduction and exhibition in this country of films, which in their judgement are immoral or contrary to law and good customs or injurious to the prestige of the Government of people of the Philippine Islands". In 1930, The first meeting of the board was conducted in the office of then Secretary of the Interior Honoro Ventura, and the first president of the board was Teodoro M. Kalaw. Out of the 1,249 films approved, 6 had parts cut out. Two films were banned. In 1937 the film Batang Tulisan, directed by Rod Avlas and produced by Philippine Films was set to be released, and controversies arose regarding its sudden ban. The cost of production totaled 16,000 Pesos, and the film 2 and a half months to complete. Four reasons were stated as to why it was pulled out: Three are aspects of the movie: the priest portrayed in a villainous light, the use of a hypodermic needle as a murder weapon, the amorous scenes between a 10 year old couple, and the fact that "[the film] might give [the] youth certain subversive ideas". The production crew argued that this was an example of foreign films being given more lenience, despite being as bad (or sometimes, worse) than local cinema. The novel adaptation of Batang Tulisan which was published in Liwayway Magazine, in contrast, was not met with the same negative criticism. In 1938, the Board of Censorship was renamed the Board of Review for Moving Pictures, enabled by the amendment of the law by Commonwealth Act No. 305.

In 1942, the Japanese occupation of the Philippines led to what was arguably the strictest period of censorship the country has faced. The Eiga Heikusa was established to act as a Board of Censors, and introduced Japanese films with American subtitles. In light of Japan's desire to convert the Philippines into a willing member of the Greater East Asia Co Prosperity Sphere, printed matter, radio shows, theater plays, and visual art were heavily monitored, leading to the hiatus of production for Philippine cinema until 1945. As a result, the country saw an increase in theatrical productions. Screen actors such as Carmen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, Norma Blancaflor, Ely Ramos, Elsa Oria, Leopoldo Salcedo, and Ester Magalona, took to the entablado and were received well. Theaters showed bodabil (a malapropism of Vaudeville) shows where actors would perform a special number upon knowing that they were to be raided by the Kempei Tai, signaling the viewers to flee.

Independence and the regime of then President Manuel Roxas saw the creation of a new Board of Reviews for Moving Pictures, led by Marciano Roque, who would also become Executive Secretary under President Quirino. In months, the board reviewed 76 films, with only 5 being locally made. Due to the non confirmation by the Congress of all 10 members of the board, it was reconstituted on October 29, 1946, with its 7 official members. The newly appointed chairman was Dr. Gabriel Mañalac, and the secretary was Teodoro Valencia. The board had grown to 12 members by 1947, having reviewed a total of 463 films for the year. 435 were foreign, and 28 were locally produced. By the time, the Philippines had 463 officially recorded theaters, with 71 of them being in Manila. Ako Raw ay Huk (Dir. Ramon Estrella) is one of the films that was banned at the time, due to allegations of it promoting communism. In 1950, a Code of Motion Picture Censorship was instilled, further identifying what aspects were considered censorable. Scenes that depict drunkenness as attractive, scenes that depict drug trafficking, and scenes that deal with sex and surgical subjects "when shown to selected groups" are some examples of scenes that were put under review. Foreign films banned at the time include The Moon Is Blue (Dir. Otto Preminger) in 1954, and Martin Luther (Dir. Irving Pichel) in 1953. Perlas ng Silangan (Dir. Pablo Santiago) was screened without edits, which spiked a protest from the Provincial Board of Sulu, claiming that it misrepresented Muslim culture. The Citizens Council for Better Motion Pictures was established by in 1960, as a response to a "grave concern over the general disappearance of the cherished virtues and traditions of the Christian way of life, the alarming increase in juvenile delinquency, and the deterioration of public and private morals". In 1961, they lobbied for what is presently known as the Censorship Law (Republic Act No. 3060), which was approved on June 17, 1961. The law created an Appeals Committee, composed of the undersecretaries of justice, national defense, and education. This committee could revoke the decisions of the Board of Censors. Independent from the CCBMP, the still standing Board of Censors had grown to 24 members, and could now establish a system of classification which consisted of two categories: "for general patronage". and "for adults only". Jose L. Guevara was appointed by President Diosdado Macapagal as the new chairperson in 1962, and the board members appointed by President Carlos P. Garcia were removed, on account of their positions being "midnight" extensions. In 1962, the board lifted the ban on mouth to mouth kissing, so long as it was deemed non lascivious. In 1963 and after a long pleaded appeal from the public, the board bans films that heavily play up violence and crime. Ang Manananggol Ni Ruben (Dir. Eddie Garcia) was a 1963 film heavily based on the story of Ruben Ablaza, who was convicted for the rape of Annabelle Huggins. The film was initially approved and quickly banned in September, but was screened again in December after being renamed to Ang Manananggol. In 1965, Iginuhit ng Tadhana (Dir. Jose de Villa) is released, and is arguably one of the most controversial films to come out of Philippine cinema, in that it was able to set the tone of Ferdinand Marcos’ entire presidential campaign. The movie, which chronicled the life of Marcos, had reached the realm of politics, ultimately leading the appointment of Marcos to presidency. In August 1965, the film was approved without change, but its premiere in September was halted on the time of the premiere itself. An en banc of the film was requested by then acting chairman Rosalina Castro, raising much suspicion from the press and the Nacionalistas. Days after, then chairman Jose L. Guevara resigned from his spot.

1967 onwards saw a relaxing of rules by the Board of Censorship, who started allowing more nudity and explicit sex. This led to the rise of commercial, pornographic bomba (taken from the term "bombshell", which normally included a scandal in Political public office) films, which persisted despite heavy criticism from Catholic groups. These films usually depicted outright nudity and sexual scenes, cut portions from previously banned films, or the entire prohibited films themselves. The rise of bomba films was attributed to the fact that movies tackled more adult, realistic themes. The ideal of a "true Filipino" was introduced. These films also brought in a new audience for Philippine film; the usual filmgoers, the teenagers who saw the films as "hip", and the youth, who used these films as a means for their own sexual awakenings, the educated, collegiate, and the working class crowd. On another side, the larger audience of these films were the male devotees, who came to see the sex scenes and left as soon as the last one finished airing. Some films from this era include Ang Saging ni Pacing, Dayukdok (Dir. Luis San Juan; the movie was only approved by the board upon being renamed to Ang Magsasaing ni Pacing), Ang Batuta ni Drakula (Dir. Luis San Juan), Gutom (Dir. Danny Zialcita), Sabik (Dir. Angelito de Guzman), Laman sa Laman (Dirs. Lauro Pacheco, Jose Sibal), and Hayok (Dir. Ruben Abalos) among many other titles. While the non ban of these kinds of films led to the liquidation of censorship committees for most countries, this was not the case for the Philippines, likely due to the demand in box office. On February 22, 1970, the theaters Pablace and Mayfair are picketed by protesters who went against bomba movies. In 1972, the Board begins its anti sex policy, which was backed by the general public who deemed the films as "attributing to the upsurge of crimes by minors and loose morality of youth".

Filipino animation, is a body of original cultural and artistic works and styles applied to conventional Filipino storytelling, combined with talent and the appropriate application of classic animation principles, methods, and techniques, which recognizes their relationship with Filipino culture, comics, and films. It also delves into relying on traditional and common Filipino "sense of going about things" or manner of coping with Filipino life and environment.

Another staple of the Philippine film industry, historical dramas where part of the mainstream genres of the Philippine cinema, the deep history of the Philippines where the filmmakers are constantly inspired by it. Over the years, there have been many films based on history or on historical figures that not only captivated audiences with their powerful and enriching stories, but have also taken viewers back in time with the detailed costumes, sets, and atmosphere. Be it based on real people – like the biographies of José Rizal (1939, 1998), Andrés Bonifacio (1995, 2010, 2012, 2014), Lapulapu (1955, 2002), Antonio Luna (2015) and Gregorio del Pilar (2018); or set during a certain time period – Teniente Rosario (1937), Banaue: Stairway to the Sky (1975), Dugo sa Kapirasong Lupa (1975), Oro, Plata, Mata (1982), Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) and Quezon's Game (2018).

Over the years, Filipino films have been recognized not only in their own country, but also globally in different countries. Competing with international films, Filipino films have earned many different rewards such as the Golden Lion in the 2016 Venice Film Festival won by Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left) by Lav Diaz, the Audience Choice Award in the Tokyo International Film Festival won by Die Beautiful by Jun Lana, or the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival won by Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) also by Lav Diaz. All these films were granted these awards in the year of 2016 among many other Philippine films. In the years before, other films equally gaining recognition internationally include Pamilya Ordinaryo by Eduardo Roy Jr.; Metro Manila by Sean Ellis; and Foster Child by Brillante Mendoza.

Year No. of Films Revenue in US$ PhP vs US$Revenue PhP 2007 165 $86.60M46.01Php 3.984B 2008 170 $100.97M44.32Php 4.475B 2009 161 $103.39M47.64Php 4.925B 2010 149 $123.86M45.11Php 5.587B 2011 152 $138.03M43.31Php 5.978B 2012 156 $158.80M42.23Php 6.706B 2013 177 $166.41M42.45Php 7.064B