With an almost full room at Auditorium A, ABS-CBN presented its brand new thriller series of six episodes and 60 minutes that it is launching for global distribution in Cannes, even though the Filipino broadcast has not taking place yet.
Cattleya Killer is the first serial from The Philippines to be screened at MIPCOM, and it was presented by Asian Academy Creative Awards 2020 “Best Actor”, Arjo Atayde, Ría Atayde, co-star and coproducer, which was also executive produced by ABS-CBN International head, Ruel S. Bayani, and directed by Dan Villegas.
The company presented the pilot of the six-part series to industry decision makers, in anticipation of securing a global distribution partner. The production, which has not been broadcast in the Philippines, follows the intriguing investigation of a slew of cryptic murders by a copycat of an infamous serial killer who terrorized Manila two decades ago. The son of the cop who cracked this legendary case becomes the prime suspect when past traumas and long-buried secrets are brought to light. This project is filmed in Filipino with English subtitles and overdubs.
‘It is our vision that our content will be known as innovative, compelling, and meaningful; and that as we become an integral part of the beautiful tapestry of global storytellers, we will find our permanent place in the hearts of the international audience’, said Bayani.
Cattleya Killer was filmed in part of the 2021 Full Circle Series Lab, a Southeast Asian talent development initiative by the Film Development Council and French film company Tatino Films, with creative development guided by International mentors from South Africa, Israel, and Germany. The series also stars Jake Cuenca, Christopher De Leon, and Zsa Zsa Padilla.
ABS-CBN’s track record as a storyteller and content creator has been the main draw of the media company as a partner in international co-productions, as seen in its growing slate of global titles. The company has been a pioneer and leader in globalizing Filipino content.
Recently, ABS-CBN co-produced Diane Paragas’ feature film Yellow Rose, which was acquired by Sony Pictures and was the first Filipino film to have wide theatrical release. Other ABS-CBN international co-productions include Concepcion, a crime family series centering on a Filipino kingpin in Los Angeles, and Sellblock, a New Bilibid Prison-set drama that involves an American agent, were both announced earlier this year.
