ABS-CBN seems unperturbed by the pandemic, as the Network’s film company is premiering its latest film this March.
It is business as usual for the franchise-less ABS-CBN, as it maintains its position as the busiest film producer and distributor in the country.
Following the closure, the production has released new films. New scripted contents shifted to digital platforms, and more production outfits became increasingly focused on meeting the demands of the boys’ love (BL) market.
Through its streaming platform, iWantTFC, ABS-CBN has debuted two new films in May of last year. Love Lockdown (starred Angelica Panganiban, Jake Cuenca, and JM De Guzman) premiered on May 15, while Malaya (with Lovie Poe and Zanjoe Marudo as lead stars) was made available on May 28, respectively.
Following almost a five-month hiatus, Star Cinema, ABS-CBN’s main film production company, released the horror film U-Turn ( with Kim Chiu as the lead star) on October 30. The iWantTFC’s horror feature, Sitsit, premiered the next day. Later, it released another mainstream film in November, with Boyette: Not A Girl Yet, with Zaijian Jaranilla as the main lead.
Two weeks later, a family film, Four Sisters Before the Wedding premiered. The film served as a prequel to the 2013 massive hit, Four Sisters and A Wedding. The film starred up-and-coming Kapamilya stars Belle Mariano, Gillian Vicencio, Alexa Ilacad, and Chalie Dizon. For the 2020 edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival, Star Cinema’s sister company–Blacksheep released the critically-acclaimed Charlie Dizon and Paulo Avelino film Fan Girl. Star Cinema collaborated with Cineko Productions to bring to the Filipino audience Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim, which starred host-comedian, Vhong Navarro. The film is the sequel to the 2017 film, Mang Kepweng Returns.
By the end of 2020, ABS-CBN released a total of 11 full-length movies, 9 of which premiering during the pandemic.
The three films released before the lockdown’s imposition are the teen-horror film, Block Z, the romantic comedy film, James, Pat, and Dave, and the iWantTFC originals movie, Sunday Night Fever.
ABS-CBN released via its digital platforms and its first film for 2021 on January 1–the Mamay Entrata and Edward Barbers-headliner, Princess Daya-Reese. It served as Star Cinema’s opening salvo.
In February, Blacksheep Productions premiered the boys’ love film Hello Strangers: The Movie, serving as a direct sequel to 2020’s massive Web series hit, Hello Strangers. The said film has reportedly posted record sales for the ticketing and streaming platform, KTX.ph, which currently serves as ABS-CBN’s primary platform—alongside iWantTFC and IPTV services in distributing its movies.
ABS-CBN would be releasing on March 12 via the Star Cinema–a Mae Cruz-Alviar film Love or Money. It features the much-anticipated team-up of powerhouse Kapamilya stars–Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban.
Also worth noting is that while KTX.ph and iWantTFC serve as ABS-CBN’s profitable venues for movie distribution–these said platforms are also being tapped by other production outfits for movie distribution, as well as streaming of other contents like concerts and media conferences.
ABS-CBN’s announced other movie offerings for 2021, are also set to be released through the mentioned platforms.
