The First Reel has forged lasting relationships with prestigious organizations that share its vision of creating an international hub where Filipino creatives can showcase their work, as well as connect with their peers and the audience.

The First Reel was created by Lola Abrera, curated by Trinka Lat, and organized by the Philippine Studies Series Berlin — which is a platform for lectures, discussions, and art and film events on the Philippines, Filipino/a/x, and the diaspora — through its founder Rosa Cordillera A. Castillo. This collaboration was in effect in 2015 and 2017.

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With the growth of the First Reel, its organisers decided that it would move forward independently from the Philippine Studies Series Berlin,  Thus, since the start of 2019, all of the First Reel’s succeeding film festivals, events, and collaborations will be managed by Abrera and Lat.

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Aside from the Philippine Embassy in Germany, the First Reel was also assisted by the Kapisanan ng mga Pilipino sa Aachen e.V. — a Filipino organization based in the western German state of North Rhine Westphalia.

 

In 2019, The First Reel teamed up with Hamburg's Museum am Rothembaum (MARKK) to showcase an array of critical films performances from  October 2019 to March 2020. These monthly events tackle various dimensions of nationhood, identity, and belonging.

 

The First Reel aims to establish more partnerships that will further enrich the platform and widen its reach from Germany to the rest of Europe.