Arcade Film Factory’s JM Miranda at FILMART 2025: My Experience in Hong Kong
Arcade Film Factory is one of the Philippines’ leading production companies. Recently the company took part in Filmart 2025 in Hong Kong and JM Miranda, the Vice President for Business Development and Content, shares his reflections on the event. With extensive experience in advertising, account management, and building partnerships, Miranda plays a key role in ensuring the company’s content truly represents its visions.
I recently attended FILMART 2025 in Hong Kong, and I found the event to be a welcoming and relaxed gathering of film professionals. The city was abuzz with activity, and it felt like a friendly meeting place for people from all over the film industry.
A Mixed Bag of Participants
The exhibition brought together a broad mix of companies—from production houses, distribution firms, and broadcasters to newer media platforms. I noticed streaming services such as iQIYI and Viu, as well as a broad range of production companies. What I really enjoyed was seeing dedicated pavilions run by government bodies and film commissions from places like Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. These sections gave a clear, down-to-earth look at each country’s local film scene and made it easy to see where genuine collaboration could happen.
A Warm Welcome from the Philippines
One highlight for me was the strong showing from the Philippines. The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led a cheerful Philippine Pavilion that featured 18 local production companies. They showcased a range of films and series, all with the aim of starting new partnerships and attracting investment. At Arcade Film Factory, I had the opportunity to chat with producers from different parts of the world. We presented our film titles and production services, and I was glad to see a good level of interest from those wanting to film in the Philippines. It felt like the start of some promising new ventures.
A Positive, Down-to-Earth Atmosphere
The overall mood at FILMART was very positive and relaxed. People were open about discussing future film projects, sharing content, and embracing new digital ways of reaching audiences. The conversations were genuine, focusing on practical opportunities rather than lofty promises.
Two Trends That Stood Out
Two trends caught my eye. First, there’s a noticeable shift towards vertical series, a move driven by the growing number of viewers on mobile devices. Short, mobile-friendly stories are becoming more popular, and it’s interesting to think about how this format changes storytelling. Second, I noticed more international producers—especially from Europe—taking a closer interest in Asia. They are looking for opportunities to work with local talent on films and series, which opens up new possibilities for meaningful partnerships.
Connecting and Looking Ahead
One of the best parts of the event was the Producers Connect session. It was a friendly, focused setting where I met other producers and had straightforward discussions about future projects. I left those sessions with clear ideas and real possibilities for working together.
FILMART also reminded me how quickly the digital world is changing the way we make and share films. It’s a good reminder to stay flexible and open-minded about new ideas and techniques. For me, it’s all about finding the right balance—maintaining the unique flavour of Filipino storytelling while also adapting to insights from around the world.
In short, FILMART 2025 was more than just an industry event. It opened up new contacts and fresh ideas, and I’m excited to see how these experiences shape future projects at Arcade Film Factory. I’m looking forward to turning these new connections into real, positive outcomes in the years ahead.
Arcade Film Factory is represented in Asia by the m25, the global network of companies.
