WHO WE ARE
Cinema Independent (CI) engages in the acquisition, licensing and distribution of films with Asian talent to a global audience.
As an international sales agent, Cinema Independent works with filmmakers to find the appropriate territorial buyer for their film and to maximize its revenue potential across all licensed rights. Film licenses fostering theatrical exhibition as the first window of exploitation is preferred.
As a worldwide distributor, Cinema Independent exploits the film on platforms and outlets with access to worldwide audiences.
Cinema Independent acquires commercial independent films for Philippine distribution by TBA Studios with cinematic exhibition. Exclusive releases in theaters from TBA Studios included Oscarᴿ winners, Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Whale, as well as Oscarᴿ contender Triangle of Sadness. In partnership with TBA Studios, Cinema Independent can secure Philippine distribution for a film, which could include theatrical exhibition at TBA’s discretion.
General inquires: info@cinema-independent.com
MEET THE CEO
Cindy Sison, a veteran of international film sales and distribution, is best known for championing independent and Philippine cinema.
As President and CEO of Cinema Independent, Sison plans to elevate Asian and Pacific Islander films, bring these films to a wider audience globally, and monetize them for their producers. Sison represents the 50+ titles of the TBA Studios library exclusively for licensing globally, and acquires theatrical films for exhibition in Philippine cinemas on behalf of TBA Studios. Recent acquisitions include Everything Everywhere All At Once, Triangle of Sadness and The Whale.
Sison’s expertise include functioning as a Producer’s Representative and Buyer’s Representative during her consultancy. She served as Head of International Sales & Acquisitions for TBA Studios, Unitel Pictures International and Santa Monica Pictures. While at Unitel, she executed U.S. theatrical releases of several Filipino feature films and its corresponding home video distribution. Sison was SVP for Strategic Planning & Corporate Development at Santa Monica Studios, which included award-winning visual effects and technology research teams. Prior to that she was VP of International Distribution and Marketing for Trans Atlantic Entertainment and I.R.S. Media International, where she raised the profile of independent cinema at prestigious film festivals (HOWARDS END at Cannes Film Festival, MY NEW GUN in Un Certain Regard, MY NEW GUN in Directors Fortnight, and TWENTY BUCKS in Deauville.)
She holds an BA and MBA from UCLA, with a concentration in international marketing and finance. Her passion for community service and art extends to board positions on charitable nonprofits organizations that organize medical missions abroad (APPPA-ERF), produce theater productions from the community (East West Players), champion diversity and inclusion among entertainment executives and in filmed entertainment productions (CAPE), further diversity of culture and art collections (Ethnic Arts Council) or better a child’s educational experience (charter school).
