A new alliance between Philippine producer and sales agent Fire & Ice Media and Italy’s Coccinelle Film Sales aims to enhance the international visibility of independent films. The partnership was announced at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan and will focus on targeting buyers in Asia, Europe, and North America.
The collaboration will curate a selection of films from both companies, utilizing their regional expertise and industry contacts to pursue distribution opportunities outside their domestic markets. While a number of films have been identified for this initiative, specific titles have not yet been disclosed.
Abell Diño-Cabrera, the head of Fire & Ice Media, will oversee the partnership from the Philippine side. She emphasized the importance of understanding each film’s unique audience and potential in different markets. “Partnering with Coccinelle allows us to strengthen our reach, share market knowledge, and create more possibilities for the filmmakers and producers who trust us to represent their work,” Diño-Cabrera said.
Coccinelle Film Sales, founded by Francesca Breccia, specializes in selling independent films globally by connecting rights holders with buyers and distributors. Breccia expressed enthusiasm about including the Philippines in their network, highlighting the distinct identity and creative potential of Filipino cinema. “I look forward to joining forces and creating new opportunities for independent films across international markets,” she stated.
Fire & Ice Media brought several Filipino titles to the Asian Contents & Film Market, including Phil Giordano’s sports drama “Bilyarista,” Nigel Santos’ queer ensemble “Open Endings,” and David R. Corpuz’s “Only Known to Us.” Additional offerings include Law Fajardo’s “The Hearing” and Donie Ordiales’ Philippines-Japan thriller “Crosspoint,” along with films by acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza.
The company is also exploring various co-productions and development projects, such as Mendoza’s “Aid,” Ham Tran’s supernatural thriller “Red Thread,” and John Paul Su’s media-focused crime thriller “Karaoke News.”
Fire & Ice Entertainment, co-founded by CEO Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra, has a broad portfolio encompassing film and TV production, international sales, music, live events, and creative consultancy. The company has previously participated in international co-productions, including Nicole Midori Woodford’s “Last Shadow at First Light,” which premiered at San Sebastián in 2023.
Diño remarked on the evolving strategic approach within the industry, noting, “Every market is different. Buyers have their own interests, audiences have different tastes, and sometimes a film finds its opportunity through a conversation with the right person.” She expressed optimism for the partnership with Coccinelle, viewing it as a chance to leverage their combined strengths to benefit the films they represent and enhance their chances of reaching wider audiences.
