CreaZion Studios’ next move: Filipino stories on the world stage

The studio that helped spotlight “Isang Himala” and “Patay na si Hesus” believes film distribution should go both ways: bringing stories in and sending stories out.

Film distribution shouldn’t just stop at introducing global cinema to local audiences. It should also open doors for Filipino stories to travel the world, according to CreaZion Studios distribution and IP manager Hesed Arce.

This vision is what drives CreaZion Studios’ latest move—to bring the Korean feature film “No Other Choice” to Philippine cinemas while continuing to take homegrown films to the global stage, from the miraculous musical “Isang Himala” to the cathartic dramedy “Patay na si Hesus.”

Launched in 2023, CreaZion Studios has built its name on collaborations with partners and production companies both within and outside the country. The studio takes pride in recognizing human stories from the margins—narratives that deserve attention—and elevating them to the global limelight through film distribution and festivals.

CreaZion Studios has never been shy about spotlighting stories that mirror the struggles of Filipino life: autism in “Iska,” LGBT+ families in “Billie and Emma” and “Mudrasta: Ang Beking Ina!,” open relationships in “Open,” and even the complexities of married life within the deaf community in “Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin.”

On universal problems as inspirations

“We believe that it needs to be seen by Filipino audiences, not just because of its superior quality, but [because] we thought that it’s a universal problem: unemployment, and how desperate we could become just to provide for our own family. So it’s very Asian,” Arce shared in an interview with Radar Entertainment during a recent special screening of “No Other Choice.”

For CreaZion Studios, bridging the gaps in how Filipino movies reach our diaspora worldwide remains a core mission—to connect stories from home with kababayans working overseas.

With its plan to acquire inflight and ship entertainment rights, the team led by Arce will also open opportunities for Filipino seafarers and airmen to access these stories onboard, ensuring that no matter where they are in the world, a piece of home remains just a screen away.

The studio’s own creatives chief officer Real Florido joined the Philippine delegation in the 2025 San Sebastián International Film Festival alongside illustrious film producers in the country. Moreover, the projects and artists of CreaZion Studios garnered both local and international recognition, with the six Gawad Urian nominations of “Isang Himala” in 2025 and the lauded Academy member Dolly de Leon among their roster.

Bringing global stories home

The studio had international movie runs which brought “The Legend of Ochi” (2025), The “Substance” (2024), “Priscilla” (2023), “The Breaking Ice” (2023), and “The Childe” (2023), among others to Philippine cinemas.

“We will also start production on a Philippine adaptation of a very huge Korean IP that has been remade all over the world,” Arce declared. “Another big Korean IP is currently shooting and will be released next year. For our international slate, we will be releasing ‘In the Gray,’ with Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, and Rosamund Pike next year.”

“No Other Choice” has been open in theaters nationwide since Oct. 29, as well as in select IMAX cinemas. The Korean dark comedy film features Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-Min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Yeon-seok, directed by Park Chan-wook.

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