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The Adopt-A-Film Program was launched by the Society of Film Archivists (SOFIA) of the Philippines on June 8, 1998 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This program aims to raise funds for the restoration of endangered Filipino film classics through sponsorship by corporations, institutions, and individuals. It is jointly undertaken by the Society of Film Archivists, the Cultral Center of the Philippines, the Philippine Information Agency and the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines (AdFoundation) by virtue of the SOFIA-AdFoundation joint project forged in January 1996.

In the Philippines, cinema was first introduced in 1897. Since then, thousands of films have been produced in response to various cultural, socio-economic, educational, and sometimes political demands. To date, the country has been one of the most prolific producers of films. It is able to produce over 150 features annually, making it the third largest producer of films in the world. However, most of these films are now gone or are badly damaged giving the present and the future generations almost nothing to look back of their heritage in moving image.

Film restoration and preservation is a costly undertaking and require huge funding to be carried out by a single organization or institution. It should be a collaborative effort among archival institutions, the film industry, government and nongovernment organizations, private individuals, and corporations.

In this light, the Adopt-A-Film Program was launched by SOFIA to help save the Filipino film heritage and to be able to build a collection that could be made available to this and future generations. At the launching, SOFIA presented an initial list of titles for adoption as well as how a sponsor may adopt a film.

Each film that is included in this program is given a program sponsorship price tag which is equivalent to the cost of restoring film and producing duplicate negatives and new print. Major sponsorship ensures the immediate restoration of the film. Minor sponsors will be requested to make a pledge and will be updated on the progress of raising the balance for their selected film. Once the full amount is raised, the selected film is sent for restoration and duplication at the PIA film laboratory or to a facility abroad if the condition of the film so requires.

For inquiries about this program, please contact Jo Atienza at tel. no. (632) 439-1123, email: joat@csi.com.ph, Mary del Pilar at PIA, tel. no. (632) 920-7705, email: mary-pia@mailstation.net, or Vicky D. Belarmino at the CCP, tel. no. (632) 832-5120, email: ccp@ccpap.admu.edu.ph

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Updated: 10 February 1999