Warner Bros. has entered into an exclusive partnership with a local film company as part of its goal to reinvigorate the Philippine movie industry.
The Hollywood film studio over the weekend signed an agreement with rising Filipino company, Mentorque Productions to handle the local theatrical distribution of Filipino film Mallari, its first domestic mainstream film distribution.
The last time Warner Bros. attempted to distribute locally was a limited release of an indie film in 2023.
“This is the first mainstream Filipino movie that Warner Bros Pictures is distributing in the country and this is just the beginning,” John Brian Diamante, president of Mentorque said during a press briefing.
“We’ve been talking about other possible projects in the future. And then hopefully this not just for the Philippine market but as well as for Warner Bros,” he added.
Roco Gonzales, distribution director of Warner Bros. Philippines said the partnership is expected to help reawaken the Philippine cinema market.
Gonzales said the two companies are exploring paths to Warner distributing Filipino films to the Asian region, collaborations in streaming and the possibility of co-productions.
“The partnership is exclusive, but we’re open to distributing other films of other producers,” he said.
“I’m hoping that the usual moviegoers who patronize Warner Bros. movies will somehow patronize this film as outside from the usual market of FIlipino movies and at the same time this opens Warner Bros to tap audiences who don’t usually watch local movies,” Gonzales added.
Diamante said the company spent about P80 million to meet the standard of Warner Bros.
“Warner Bros. has been distributing international films and they’re always the priority and that’s one advantage,” he added.
Mallari, the much-awaited horror starring award-winning Piolo Pascual is inspired by the true story of Fr. Severino Mallari, the Philippines’ first and only serial killer. The other cast members include Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz and Tommy Alejandrino.
The horror movie, set to be released on 25 December, is the most expensive film in the Metro Manila Film Festival this year.
