ABS-CBN International Productions wraps up first Hollywood bootcamp for Kapamilya creatives

ABS-CBN’s “The Bagman,” the 2024 action-packed drama series targeted for international release starring Arjo Atayde, John Arcilla, and Judy Ann Santos, is shaping up as one of the most awaited offerings of the company as several distinguished Filipino actors have been tapped to join the cast.

Besides the award-winning trio of Arjo, John, and Judy Ann, “The Bagman,” a premium spin-off of the iWant digital series “Bagman,” will also star Tirso Cruz III, Ryan Eigenmann, Charlie Dizon, Gela Atayde, Joem Bascon, Art Acuna, Chai Fonacier, Sheila Valderrama, Ana Abad Santos, Al Tantay, Nino Muhlach, Jeffrey Santos, and Ynez Veneracion.

Produced by ABS-CBN International Productions, Dreamscape Entertainment, Rein Entertainment, and Nathan Studios Inc., “The Bagman” will have eight (8) one-hour episodes. The series also started its principal photography last February 25 and is now headed to this year’s FILMART, Asia’s biggest film and entertainment content marketplace, to actively seek co-production partners and pre-sales from March 11-14, 2024 in Hong Kong.

“ABS-CBN’s track record as a storyteller and content creator is one of our key assets that makes us a solid partner in international co-productions, as seen in our growing slate of global titles. As a pioneer and leader in globalizing Filipino content, we are pleased to be offering The Bagman at this year’s FILMART as it further strengthens our position as advocating for Filipino representation in today’s global marketplace. With the phenomenal cast now complete, coupled with the recent start of production, we have no doubt The Bagman will be a hit among buyers and co-prod companies in Hong Kong,” ABS-CBN head of International Productions Ruel S. Bayani said.

In “The Bagman,” Arjo reprises his role as Benjo Malaya, a neighborhood barber turned governor’s henchman who is now a convicted prisoner. When Benjo learns that his family has gone missing, he is left with no choice but to return to the criminal underworld he once left behind and take on a new mission as a bagman for the sitting president of the Philippines to stop an impending civil war.

Meanwhile, as part of ABS-CBN’s journey as a global storytelling company, ABS-CBN International Productions also wrapped up the first ABS-CBN Hollywood Bootcamp wherein select creatives from ABS-CBN Films, TV Production, and International Productions had eight-week online industry masterclasses that were facilitated by Los Angeles-based Development Executive for International Productions, Lea Dizon, featuring guest executives from Hollywood.

It was then followed by a five-month hybrid Project Incubator wherein the creatives got to work with Dizon to develop their personal passion projects that culminated in a Pitch Fest activity last February 22-23, 2024. A total of 26 original film and series projects were pitched to ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Development Executive for International Productions Lea Dizon, International Productions head Ruel Bayani, ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen, head of Digital Jamie Lopez, and head of Transformation and Innovation Mark Nepomuceno.

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