Philippine-Italian Sales Alliance Targets Independent Films for Buyers in Asia, Europe and North America (Exclusive)

A new Philippine-Italian sales alliance is targeting independent films for buyers in Asia, Europe and North America. Fire & Ice Media, a Philippine producer and sales agent, and Italy's Coccinelle Film Sales unveiled their strategic partnership at the Busan Asian Content & Film Market. The duo will work together on a curated group […]

The new Philippine-Italian sales alliance is aimed at getting independent films in front of buyers in Asia, Europe and North America. Fire & Ice Media, a Filipino producer and sales agent, and Italy's Coccinelle Film Sales have unveiled their strategic partnership in Busan's Asian film and content market.

The pair will work together on a select group of films, combining regional knowledge and buyer contacts to pursue distribution deals beyond the films' domestic markets. The first batch of films have already been selected, although the companies have yet to name them. RELATED STORIES Richard Linklater says Merrily We Roll Along will resume filming in "a few months" and gives a "progress report" on the 20-year-old production: "See you in 2040."

Abel Dino-Cabrera, who heads Fire & Ice Media and handles the division's film and television development, production, positioning and sales work, will lead the alliance for the Philippine side. Popular in Variety

Dino Cabrera said: "Every film has its own audience and potential in different markets. Our job is to understand where those opportunities are and work with the right people to make them happen." "Partnering with Coccinelle allows us to strengthen our reach, share market knowledge, and create more opportunities for the filmmakers and producers who trust us to showcase their work."

Coccinelle, founded by Francesca Breccia, sells independent titles on the international circuit, pairing films and their rights. Owners with buyers and distributors in a wide range of territories. Breccia said the company already has sales alliances with its Asian counterparts, particularly in South Korea and Thailand, and is happy to now bring the Philippines into the network.

"Filipino cinema has a strong identity and remarkable creative energy, with stories and voices that deserve more international exposure. I was particularly drawn to Fire & Ice Media's portfolio, which combines a distinct artistic sense with strong commercial potential," said Breccia. I look forward to joining forces and creating new opportunities for independent films across international markets.

Fire & Ice was present in the Asian film and content market with a series of Filipino titles. Phil Giordano's offering is "Bilyarista," a sports drama with a female lead. Nigel Santos' oddball piece "Open Endings"; David R. corpus "known only to us"; Lav Fajardo "Hearing"; and "Crosspoint," a Filipino-Japanese thriller from Donie Ordiales. A collection of Brillante Mendoza films completes the list.

Several international joint and development projects are also under construction. They include Mendoza's "The Help," Ham Tran's supernatural thriller "Red Thread" and "Karaoke News," a John Paul Sue crime thriller that takes aim at the media.

The parent company of Fire & Ice Entertainment, co-founded by CEO Lisa Dino and Ice Segura, encompasses film and television production, international sales, music, live events and creative consulting. Its media arm has partnered on international co-productions such as Nicole Midori Woodford's Last Shadow at First Light, which bowed in San Sebastián in 2023, and Matsubayashi Urara's Blue Vision, which premiered in Rotterdam in 2024.

The company's home projects include "Never Bride," a scripted drama series from Diño about a wedding planner whose own marriage is falling apart, and "Funeral Flowers," a family drama he will write and direct. Seguerra is attached to direct "Alex & Rio," a road movie driven by music.

Dino said the company has learned over the years that a strong slate is only the starting point.

"Every market is different. Buyers have their interests, audiences have different tastes, and sometimes a film finds its opportunity by talking to the right person who understands what it has to offer," he said. This is what makes this collaboration with Coccinelle so meaningful to us. We bring different strengths, relationships and knowledge from our respective markets. But ultimately, we share one goal: to serve the films we represent, find the right partners who believe in them, and give these stories the best possible chance to reach audiences. We see this as the beginning of a meaningful, long-term relationship."