First Cinema Expo in RP Gathered Local and International Players

Movie industry companies, media partners, ad agencies, film professionals, and student organizations involved in film production from here and abroad filled the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City for the CINEXPO 2009. Held last February 17 – 18, 2009, media and film companies discussed the latest cinema trends, issues, networking and partnerships, and exhibited their films, various media products, and services.

Organized by SM Cinema, the event gathered the biggest local and Hollywood film producers and distributors. Among the participants were Star Cinema, Regal Films, Viva Films, GMA Films, Pioneer Pictures, Inc., Solar Entertainment Corporation (official United International Pictures distributor in the Philippines), Warner Bros. Pictures, 20^th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures.

The two-day event was filled with presentations and seminars.

1. Mr. Alex Morrison, country manager of Hills & Associates Philippines, who discussed “Anti-Piracy: A Growing Pain”;
2. Atty. Rosendo Menesser, Optical Media Board Executive Director, who shared the organization’s anti piracy campaign;
3. Ms. Mylene Abiva, president of Philippine Marketing Association for “Consumer Behavior: Emerging Market Segments”;
4. Mr. March Ventosa, Vice President for Marketing of ABS-CBN tackled “Branded Advertising: The New Advertising”;
5. Mr. Raymund de Vera, Vice President for Ad Sales and Marketing for ACCESS and Sales Representative of AXN and Animax talked about “Cinema Advertising: Engaging the Heart and Mind of your Audience”;
6. Mr. Pete Jimenez, General Manager of Optima Digital, together with Mr. Stephen Sy, Visual Effects Supervisor, and Ms. Marilen Magsaysay, Senior Colorist shared their knowledge on “Color grading and VFX Case Studies”; and
7. Ms. Haidie Esmero, business unit manager of SM Cinema for “SM Cinema: Your Advertising Partner”.

A special screening of the recent local films “Dayo,” the first digital animation film in the country and entry to the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and “Jay," an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed independent film from Cinemalaya served as the concluding activity for CINEXPO. SM also honored film producers, distributors, artists, and media partners in the 2008 SM Cinema Awards. The award was given to 5 top grosser films for 2008. These were “A Very Special Love”, “For the First Time”, “Caregiver”, “My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend”, and “Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat”. During the awards night held last February 18, 2009, SM Cinema gave its first Box Office King and Queen award to A Very Special Love main cast John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo.

Tags: sm cinema, movies, cinexpo 2009, smx, films, advertising, philippines, piracy