The next film from leading Asian director Brillante Mendoza and the directorial debut of New York Asian Film Festival director Samuel Jamiar will headline Philippine label Fire & Ice Media’s 2025 production schedule.
The company is headed by Liza Diño-Seguera, a former actor and former president of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The company’s recent collaborations include a minority role in Nicole Midori Woodford’s Last Shadow at First Light, a collaborative project spanning Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Slovenia, which premiered at the San Sebastian Festival. This includes investment and co-production of “Blue”. “Imagine” is a work by Urara Matsubayashi that had its world premiere at the Rotterdam Music Festival.
Mendoza’s project, “Cocoon,” is a story inspired by the relationship between a director and his daughter, written by Rocky Fajardo and Angel Mendoza. The film follows a Filipino-American veterinarian and his African-American fiance as they navigate the intersections of family, culture, and identity. French producer Raphael Gindl, known for “Funny Bird” and “We the Coyote,” which premiered at ACID in Cannes in 2018, also serves as a co-producer. “This film hits close to home and parallels my own journey as a father. It is a personal exploration of love, identity, and family that connects across cultures,” Mendoza said.
Directed by Jamiar, Hunter of the Plains is set in Leyte during World War II. The film follows Mayari, a young Filipino woman, and a Korean sniper who form an unlikely alliance to free women from a Japanese military camp.
“’The Huntress’ represents a natural evolution from showcasing someone else’s vision to crafting your own story, blending the emotional depth and visceral tension of a wartime thriller. “This is an opportunity to showcase Asia’s rich history and the complexity of national identity through universal stories, proving that regional stories can captivate audiences around the world,” Jamia said.
“Mindscape Manila” will see “Plan 75” producer Will Fredo return to direct, with Diño, who appeared in some of Fredo’s earlier films, stepping into production. The film is a thriller rooted in the world of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), exploring the relationship between a young ASMR streamer and a dark, hidden reality. “I was immediately fascinated by the world of ASMR and the whisper fetish culture. With the right strategy and positioning, it will be rewarding to help Fredo make his voice heard again on the international stage,” Diño said. spoke. Fusee Inc. of the United States is serving as co-producer.
The supernatural horror film “The Red Thread” weaves the lives of a ghost-seeing child, a radio host, and a serial killer into a horrifying story. The project is based on the Vietnamese-American film “The Anniversary,” which was shortlisted for an Academy Award, “Journey from the Fall,” which premiered at the Busan Film Festival, and the 2022 film “Micah.” The film was written and directed by American director Ham Tran. It premiered at Sundance.
Producers include Anderson Lee (East Film), director of the Hawaii International Film Festival, contributor Mai Tuan An, Taiwan’s Jackol Kao Dasang Pictures, and prolific Singaporean producer Tan Hsien ( Momo Film Company) and Nelson Mok are also participating. . His Moxter Films will also handle worldwide sales for the project, which is expected to begin shooting in March 2025.
Philippine entertainment icon Ais Seguera makes his directorial debut with “Transfatherhood,” which tells the story of his journey as a trans man. The film, written by Diño and directed by Seguerra, follows Sam, a queer singer-songwriter who takes on the unexpected role of father to a young girl. This project was previously presented at the EAVE Producer Workshop.
“‘Transfatherhood’ was inspired by my own journey to self-acceptance as a trans man, to becoming a husband and father. It’s the story of my family and how we “We have shattered society’s perception of what an ‘ideal family’ should be,” Seguerra said.
The crime thriller film “Karaoke News” tells the story of a former child celebrity who turns his publicity stunt into a sensational media circus in an attempt to regain his fame. The production is written and directed by Disney/ABC Directing Program and Berlinale Talent Tokyo alumnus John Paul Hsu. A timely and incisive critique of media and celebrity culture, the film is currently in pre-production and is being co-produced with Central Digital Lab editor Mane Dayrit and America’s Eight Horse Productions.
“We are committed to elevating Asian voices and building cinematic bridges between Southeast Asia and the world. This shift will enable Asian cinema to connect across cultural and linguistic divides and its impact. It’s growing in power and influence,” Dino said.
The slate announcement came on the eve of Dino’s QCinema film festival and accompanying project market in the Philippines.
