GMA Pictures is gearing up for a strong 2026 with a diverse lineup of films that range from socially relevant animated documentaries to horror features and high-profile collaborations with fellow industry players.
Leading the slate is ’58th,’ an animated documentary produced by GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures, directed by award-winning filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa. The film honors the victims of the Maguindanao massacre and centers on the life of Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, recognized as the 58th victim of the tragedy.
The project aims to shed light on one of the darkest chapters in Philippine history through a deeply personal and artistic lens.
Another highly anticipated release is ‘Ella Arcangel,’ an animated film adaptation of the acclaimed 2017 comic book series created by Julius Villanueva. Directed by National Book Awardee Mervin Malonzo, the film follows a young heroine who confronts human and mythical threats in an urban setting, further strengthening GMA Pictures’ push into original animated storytelling.
Expanding its genre offerings, GMA Pictures is also collaborating with Mentorque Productions for the horror feature ‘Huwag Kang Titingin,’ directed by Frasco Mortiz. The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Sofia Pablo, Allen Ansay, Marco Masa, Michael Sager, Sean Lucas, Kira Balinger, Josh Ford, Anthony Constantino, Charlie Fleming, Shuvee Etrata, and Sherilyn Reyes.
Beyond its film slate, GMA Pictures is also signaling deeper industry partnerships this year. Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Executive Vice President of GMA Pictures Nessa Valdellon recently shared that GMA Network has begun discussions with Viva Entertainment for new collaborative projects.
In a social media post, Valdellon described the meeting with Viva executives as the “1st meeting of the year: Viva collabs,” hinting at more joint ventures across film, television, and digital platforms.
The discussion follows a series of successful collaborations between the two media giants, including their recently announced 50:50 joint venture with Viva Records, which is set to become fully operational this year.
Previous GMA Pictures-Viva Films collaborations include the sci-fi romance ‘Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind’, starring Ruru Madrid and Yassi Pressman, and the 2024 suspense thriller ‘Playtime’, headlined by Xian Lim, Sanya Lopez, and Coleen Garcia.
As GMA Network builds on the momentum of its 75th anniversary milestone in 2025, the network’s film arm enters 2026 with an expanded creative vision—anchored on original Filipino stories, innovative formats, and strategic partnerships aimed at delivering high-impact content to local and global audiences.
