An award-winning filmmaker and longtime faculty member of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), Seymour B. Sanchez, has been appointed by the Bacolod City Government as the director of its film festival, set for this September.
The Bacolod Film Festival Council (BFFC), chaired by Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Councilor Em L. Ang, designated Sanchez as per City Ordinance 1061-2024. This ordinance, authored by Councilor Ang, includes grants of 300,000 pesos each for ten Bacolod filmmakers. Sanchez signed the agreement with the BFFC, and his appointment was confirmed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
Sanchez has taught various film-related courses at DLS-CSB since 2014 and served as director of the One La Salle Film Festival in 2018. He has also been involved in numerous film festivals and competitions as a judge, mentor, and consultant. His short film “Caretaker” has won several awards, including second prize at the CAM International Festival for Short Films in Cairo and the Audience Choice Award at the Active Vista International Human Rights Film Festival.
