GMA Network Films, Inc. (formerly Cinemax Films, commonly known simply as GMA Films) is a film production company and a film studio established in 1995 by GMA Network Inc. in the Philippines.
Its movie productions have become both critical acclaim and commercial successes, among which are Jose Rizal, Muro Ami and Deathrow.
History
1994
GMA tested the movie waters by co-producing films with Viva Films. Among the movies that were co-produced were "Ober da Bakod the Movie", "Kalabog en Bosyo", "Forever" and "Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko". Although not credited in the opening and closing credits of the movies, the network's logo appeared in the aforementioned movies' posters in theaters and newspaper ads.
1995-2000
First founded in 1995 under the supervision of Jimmy Duavit and Butch Jimenez, GMA Films released certain films from 1995 to 1998 under its former title "Cinemax Films", starting with "Run Barbi Run". After its initial production, a co-production arrangement with Octo Arts Films was made where Octo Arts would produce and distribute the movies in theaters nationwide while Cinemax (through its mother network GMA-7) will handle publicity and promotions for TV and radio. GMA Network holds the airing rights for the said movies. In 1998, it changed its name to GMA Films after international movie channel HBO created a separate movie channel called "Cinemax". The same year, GMA received critical and commercial success for the following movies it produced, "Sa Pusod ng Dagat" and "Jose Rizal", both directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. In 1999, it also produced "Muro-Ami" and in 2000, "Deathrow".
When Felipe Gozon took over GMA Network, the film production outfit of GMA Network was placed on hiatus for about 5 years.
2005 onwards
After almost five years of hibernating, the film outfit made a comeback in 2005 with the romantic movie Let the Love Begin, which became the highest-grossing Valentine film in the Philippines on its release that year.
It later released other films that also became hits in the Philippine Box-office.
In 2007, the award-winning film Ouija co-produced with Viva Films was supposed to be its first film to be released internationally. However, the scheduled overseas premieres in four U.S. cities (Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego) were cancelled. Only the one in New Jersey pushed through.[1] The movie is titled Seance internationally.
In September 2011, there are speculations going around as to whether the upcoming film, The Road, will be released internationally as the director Yam Laranas has expressed for the film to be released worldwide and he himself said that he will help finance the release worldwide.[2]
GMA Films logo used from September 2011 to May 2014.
2012
On January 24, 2012, it was announced by GMA Films Producer Joey Abacan that The Road will be screened in cinemas in the U.S. and Canada. This marks the first time GMA Films premiered one of its films without any negotiations with co-produced because The Road is solely produced by GMA Films. It is scheduled to have a U.S. and Canada theatrical release on May 11, 2012.[3]
2012 is the year that GMA Films has produced eight films in a year, the most it has ever done since its very start. This was part of GMA Films' resolution to produce one film per month. Even though that did not happen, they managed to produce eight films.