A day of San Diego-Philippine film expo within the Fourth Annual San Diego Filipino Film Festival

San Diego Filipino Film Festival will launch the first ever San Diego - Philippine Film Trade Fair with the support of The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry during the Filipino American History Month in October.

Our aim is to bring together film/media makers and film/media production companies from across the globe to develop partnerships, cultivate co-production deals, and learn the incentives of filming in the Philippines.

What's in store for attendees: Film and media vendors, company presentations by SIKAP's AYO and EdukSine, panel discussions with Filipino American animators from Pixar, Disney, and Netflix, a panel discussion on filming and producing incentives in the Philippines, a breakout room to connect with potential partners and film/media collaborators, and an after party mixer at the SDFFF Jury Awards & Filmmakers Night for exhibitors and panelists.

What's in Store

Presentations

Presentations by SIKAP's AYO and EdukSine

Panel Discussions

Panel Discussions: Spotlight on Filipino American Animators from Pixar, Disney, and Netflix. A panel on filming and producing incentives in the Philippines.

Networking

Participating vendors and SDFFF VIP/All Access badge holders are invited to the SDFFF Jury Awards & Filmmakers Night

Guest Panelists and Speakers

Visions & Voices: In The Realm of Animation

Spotlight on Filipino Animators in Hollywood

Join us for an immersive discussion on illustration and animation with our incredible panelists, who have paved the way for many Filipino artists in Hollywood.

Whilce Portacio

Whilce Portacio began his comic book career as an inker for Marvel's "Longshot" in 1985 and later became a penciler on "The Punisher" in 1988. He gained fame in the 90s with "X-Factor" and "Uncanny X-Men," creating the popular character Bishop. As a co-founder of Image Comics, he launched "Wetworks" and the Philippine mythology-inspired "Stone." He later worked on "Non-Humans" and returned to Marvel and DC for titles like "Iron Man" and "Batman Confidential," remaining active in the comic book industry.

Ronnie del Carmen

Ronnie del Carmen is an animation writer and director, best known for co-directing Pixar's Inside Out (2015). He worked at Pixar from 2000 to 2020, contributing to films like Up. Born in Cavite, Philippines, he has also worked for DreamWorks and Batman: The Animated Series. He is now an executive producer, creative consultant, and public speaker.

Ricky Nierva

San Diego native Ricky Nierva has over 25 years in animation, including 21 years at Pixar. He led the team behind Up, was Production Designer for Monsters University, and Lead Character Designer for Monsters, Inc. Ricky won an Annie Award for Finding Nemo and worked on films like Toy Story 2, Inside Out, and Coco. He also illustrated the book M is for Monster, was appointed to the California Film Commission, and founded Studio Ipil, serving clients like Netflix and Blender.

Bobby Rubio

Bobby Alcid Rubio was born and raised in San Diego. He was the Head of Story for Paramount Animation on “Transformers One”. He was the Writer/Director of the Pixar SparkShorts “Float” (the first Disney/Pixar film to feature Filipino American lead characters) and was a Story Artist at Pixar. He is the creator/owner of his independent comics and intellectual properties: Alcatraz High, 4 Gun Conclusion and Neighborhood Legend! He worked previously at Nickelodeon on “Avatar the Last Airbender” as an Assistant Director and Storyboard Artist, freelanced Cover Artist for Marvel Comics and at Disney Animation as a Traditional Animator.

On Location: California and Philippines Filming Incentives Panel Discussion

Are you in search of the perfect location for your next film project? California and the Philippines offer a combination of stunning scenery, skilled production crews, and attractive filming incentives. Find out how these regions can help you bring your film project to life.

Leah Medrano

Deputy Director, Film & Television Tax Credit Program at the California Film Commission

Leah Medrano, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is the Deputy Director of the Film & Television Tax Credit Program at the California Film Commission. With over 20 years of experience in government relations and production, she oversees California's Film Tax Credit and Soundstage Filming programs, supporting the state's film and television industry.

Genesis Raenani Gaffud-Reños

Tourism Officer, The Philippine Department of Tourism Los Angeles

Genesis Raenani Gaffud-Reños, also known as Gen, is the Administrative Officer/Tourism Officer at the Philippine Department of Tourism Los Angeles office with two decades of experience. She has served in various capacities, including marketing and product development, and holds a graduate degree in Management, Major in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in Tourism.

Eric C. Elnar

Trade Commissioner

Philippine Trade and Investment Center

Philippine Consulate General-Los Angeles

Presentations by SIKAP President and EdukSine Founder

Get insights on Intellectual Property management and licensing from SIKAP President, Marla Rausch and Philippine independent film distributor EdukSine’s Karen Krukover. Each presenter will discuss in length what their respective non-profit organizations do to support and empower creators by giving them the knowledge they need to protect and distribute their work.

Marla Rausch

SIKAP – Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines, President

Marla de Castro Rausch is the founder and CEO of Animation Vertigo, a motion capture animation company, and the Managing Partner of Kampilan Productions, focusing on Filipino culture and content development.

Karen Jane Salutan Krukover

EdukSine, Founder

Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover is the CEO and Founder of EdukSine, a social enterprise that bridges independent Filipino filmmakers with diverse audiences through innovative screenings, integrating Filipino Sign Language and earning awards like Technology Company of the Year at Asia CEO Awards 2023.

The Moderators

Patrick Ballesteros - Visions & Voices Panel Moderator

PATRICK BALLESTEROS is an illustrator and educator based in San Diego. He has worked in the entertainment industry for such companies as Image Comics, Netflix, DisneyTV, Nickelodeon Publishing, and Blur Studio. As an educator he continues to train the next generation of artists with drawing fundamental and illustration classes.

A fan favorite at San Diego Comic Con, Patrick’s artwork can be described as childhood whimsy with a sprinkle of pop culture and Filipino flavor. You will most likely find him at the local coffee shop drinking a cappuccino and working on his newest projects.

Patrick’s latest comic book covers for DC Comics’s Little Batman release this year.

Benito Bautista - On Location Panel Moderator

Benito Bautista is an Emmy award recipient and a Filipino filmmaker whose films have been exhibited at festivals in Busan, Chicago, Seattle, Santa Barbara, New York, Hawaii, Goa, Guam, Laos, France, Manila, San Francisco, and San Diego. He is best known for his feature documentary film HARANA: the Search for the Lost Art of Serenade that won the Gawad Urian (Filipino Film Critics) award for Best Documentary and broadcasted nationwide on PBS. Benito is the founder of Wanderlustproject Films and the Executive Director and cofounder of the non-profit organization San Diego Filipino Cinema, presenter of the San Diego Filipino Film Festival.

The Venue

Liberty Station Convention Center

2600 Laning Road San Diego, CA 92106

Main Hall

SDPFTF will take place at the beautiful Liberty Staton Conference Center within the Liberty Station Arts District.

Breakout Room

Filmmakers and film industry reps can use our venue's breakout room to discuss potential collaboration.

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