Liza Diño-Seguera

Liza Diño is a notable figure in the Philippine entertainment industry, renowned for her multifaceted talents and contributions as an actress, public servant, film producer, and arts advocate. She is currently the president and CEO of Fire and Ice Media and Productions, a Philippine-based entertainment company with an international reach that takes Filipino creativity to the next level. She is passionate about celebrating global Filipino talent and creativity through innovative, collaborative executions that bring together diverse and unique perspectives for the world to experience. "Chair Liza," as she was fondly called, was the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the country's national film agency.

Appointed to this position in 2016, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives to promote and elevate Filipino cinema locally and internationally. Liza's leadership has led to the implementation of various programs and policies aimed at nurturing the growth of the Philippine film industry, supporting emerging filmmakers, and preserving the country's cultural heritage. During her 6-year stint, she made it her mission to bring Philippine cinema to the world stage and be at the forefront of global collaboration. During her time, landmark programs and initiatives were launched and implemented that positioned the Philippines to be more globally competitive and ready to work with international stakeholders. In 2020, amidst the pandemic, the Philippines' launched its first global film incentive program, the FilmPhilippines Incentives, promoting the Philippines as a filming destination and a coproduction hub for foreign productions. One of its unique support schemes is the ASEAN Coproduction Fund (ACOF), a regional public funding grant that provides financial incentives to Southeast Asian filmmakers partnering with a Filipino producer. FilmPhilippines have supported around 35 international coproduction projects with an estimated 2 billion pesos in local spending in the last two years.

To further Liza's goal to strengthen collaboration within the Southeast Asian region and help Filipino filmmakers bring their films to the global stage, she partnered with international film experts to conceptualize global initiatives like the Full Circle Lab Philippines, a Southeast Asian project and talent development program which aims to nurture and develop Filipino and Southeast Asian projects for global potential. The Lab, initiated in 2019, has reached numerous achievements with notable films like the Korea-Singapore coproduction Ajoomma, directed by He Shuming, Indonesi-Philippines-France coproduction Autobiography by Makbul Mubarak, which won at the Venice Film Festival, "Leonor Will Never Die" by Martika Escobar, which won a Special Jury Prize in this year's Sundance, Fan Girl by Antoinette Jadaone, which premiered in Tokyo and Tallinn Film Fest last year, "Hayop Ka! (You Animal!" by Avid Liongoren, the first animated feature film to compete in Annecy Film Festival, as well as John Denver Trending by Arden Rod Condez which competed in BIFF 2020 were also alumni projects of the Lab. The Lab has supported over 75 film projects and mentored 160+ participants from the Philippines and Southeast Asia in its four years of existence.

Liza's visionary leadership has ushered in a new era of creativity and innovation within the industry. Her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry and dedication to the arts and community has solidified her status as an influential and respected figure in Philippine cinema.

This June 2023, Liza Diño was honored with one of France’s most distinguished titles, the Chevalier in the French Order of Arts and Letters (“Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres”). The National Order of Arts and Letters is considered the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for individuals who have distinguished themselves by their artistic or literary creations or by their contribution to the influence of the arts and letters in France and the world. Among those awarded the title in the past are Steven Spielberg, George Clooney, Leonardo Di Caprio, Meryl Streep, and Cate Blanchett. This esteemed award recognizes Diño's exceptional contributions to the film industry and her unwavering dedication to fostering cultural exchanges between the Philippines, France, and the world.