Dennis Trillo’s MMFF movie ties up with Columbia Pictures for global distribution

“Amir,” the film entry of GMA Pictures for the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival just tied up with Columbia Pictures for a possible syndication of the movie.

Key executives of GMA Pictures and Brightburn Entertainment, together with the film’s creative team and actors, gathered for the contract signing at the Columbia Pictures Philippines office recently for the distribution of the fantasy drama internationally.

Brightburn Entertainment is a production outfit owned by Trillo and his wife Jennylyn Mercado.

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Representing GMA were Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President and CEO of GMA Films Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, alongside GMA Pictures Executive Vice President and GMA Public Affairs Senior Vice President Nessa Valdellon.

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Signing for Columbia Pictures were its Managing Director Christopher Sy, and Sales & Operations Manager Andra de Erquiaga Manas.

Also present were Brightburn Entertainment Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Amir lead star Dennis Trillo, along with Head of Business Development Katrina Aguila, who also serves as CEO of Aguila Entertainment.

Columbia is the company behind the massive hits like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Insidious: Out of the Further.” It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“It [has] always been our privilege to work with such team partners as GMA Pictures,” said Sy. “We’ve really had a lot of success with ‘Green Bones’ and ‘Gabi ng Lagim.’ And we always say it’s not about luck, it’s not about us; it’s really from the creative minds that put work on these pictures. And it’s always about the content, and we really appreciate the chance to represent ‘Amir’ in this upcoming MMFF.”

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Gozon-Valdes, meanwhile, said, “We’ve been entrusting our jewels to Columbia for these past years. We’re very excited for this movie because I think this will be our grandest movie to date. We hope again for the blessings of God for this movie.”

Trillo also welcomed the partnership, adding that he believed that “Amir” is one of GMA’s most anticipated movie offerings this year.

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Also present to celebrate the deal was the creative powerhouse behind the film: GMA Public Affairs Senior AVP and writer Angeli Atienza, Supervising Producer Joseph Conrad Rubio, Line Producer John Gary Candelaria, Concept Creator Ian Simbulan, Creative Producer Christian Julao, and young star Argus Aspiras who plays Amir in the film.

“Amid” has just recently been announced as one of the eight movies set for screening at the MMFF this December. It also stars Glaiza de Castro, Will Ashley, Caprice Cayetano, Epy Quizon, Joel Saracho, Ronnie Lazaro, Laila Ulao, Heath Jornales, Yasser Marta, Mad Ramos, Ethan Hariot, Hebron Ecal, and Mon Confiado.

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The film is directed by Zig Dulay, with a script crafted by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee alongside Atienza. /edv