- GMA Pictures is now back
- Michael V’s movie will be the perfect project for the film company’s comeback
- The film company has been on hiatus twice
GMA Pictures is now back and will be active in producing movies again.
The film and television production company was established by GMA Network in 1995. Its films have become both critical and commercial successes, among which are Jose Rizal, Muro Ami, and Deathrow.
GMA Executive Lilybeth Rasonable confirmed this news recently. According to Rasonable, GMA Network has “been wanting to return to the business of making films, but we were looking for the right project to make the re-entry extra special and memorable for the public.”
GMA Network management found the right reason for the comeback when Michael V’s Family History came along. Apart from it being Michael V’s directorial debut, the movie is also GMA Pictures’ comeback to the local film industry.
She said, “Family History was the right project. We thought that would be the best way to reenter the film making business.”
The movie written, co-produced, and directed by Michael V will premiere on July 24. It stars Dawn Zulueta, Michael V, Bianca Umali, and Miguel Tanfelix. Paolo Contis, Nonie Buencamino, Kakai Bautista, Mikoy Morales, Nikki Co, and Ina Feleo are also part of this drama, comedy, and romance film.
Meanwhile, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza will no longer be paired up in a movie so there will no follow up to their 2016 movie You and Me. Their movie was co-produced by GMA Pictures, APT and MZet Productions.
But what really caused GMA Films to go on hiatus in the past?
The company has been on hiatus twice. First was when Felipe Gozon took over GMA Network and the film production outfit was placed on hiatus for about five years (2000-2005).
The second hiatus was to give way to parent company GMA Network’s migration to digital TV. After being on a hiatus, again, for almost three years (2016-2018), GMA Films has announced its comeback plans for 2019 with the new name “GMA Pictures.”
It was in 2018 when GMA First Vice President for Program Management Joey Abacan revealed that the film company will be producing more movies. According to the Kapuso executive, the company did try to feel out the market all the time. However, the film industry at one time went into a slump.
GMA Pictures’ first official comeback movie would have been Kiko En Lala that was supposed to premiere in May. However, the movie’s playdate was moved and so far, there are no signs that the movie will be shown any time soon.
The upcoming comedy film would be the first starring roles for new comedians Tetay and Super Tekla and will be headlined by Ai-Ai Delas Alas.
