Local Filipino Studio Celebrates 7th Anniversary: The Story Behind Carpe Diem Pictures

Two new film projects announced alongside recent anniversary celebration

By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published September 30th, 2024.

Carpe Diem Pictures, the only Filipino-owned film studio in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, celebrated its 7th anniversary Sept. 28, marking a significant milestone rooted in community engagement and cultural representation. 

Celebrated with the community at Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving, TX, the anniversary was hosted by Brandon Melo and Maureen Wroblewitz, co-stars of “Take Me to Banaue”, which recently premiered on Amazon Prime and Tubi Sept. 23. The public event also unveiled the  launch of two new film projects. 

One project is a supernatural horror film that delves into the rich folklore of the Philippines, while the other is an inspirational coming-of-age drama that addresses environmental preservation, beauty pageants, and the power of community.

Founder of Carpe Diem Pictures, Danny Aguilar, stresses the importance of cultural representation in his films and how it serves his community and passions.

“Art has to be authentic. You don’t go tell a story you don’t like; you can’t really sell something you don’t like. To me, [these stories] are really natural,” Danny Aguilar said. “The Filipino American community is so underrepresented, so underserved, but we’re a huge portion of minorities in America. Knowing that I’m a filmmaker, why not promote my culture and where I came from? To me, the Philippines deserves to be highlighted on a worldwide scale.” 

With over a decade of filmmaking experience, Aguilar’s journey into the industry began as a volunteer exploring his hobby at the Sundance Film Festival, which served to inspire further education at the Hollywood Film Institute. 

Starting with independent films, he has continually explored themes of cultural identity and resilience, with his films often carrying a message of inspiration and upliftment, embodying his belief in the transformative power of cinema. Each project reflects Aguilar's passion for the Philippines and a commitment to bringing its stories to the forefront.

Despite his success in filmmaking, his main work is as a chemical engineer and a principal consulate for his business Quality Eagle Consulting Services. Aguilar credits his approach to filmmaking as deeply influenced by his extensive corporate background consulting Fortune 500 companies. With over 25 years of experience, he attributes much of his success to skills learned in project management, business strategy and networking, stressing the importance of understanding the logistical aspects of film production.

“95% is business, 5% is art,” Agulair said. “You should understand the business side of it first before you understand the art. Because if you don't have the business, how are you going to market and distribute your product? If you don't understand the financial side of it, you're not going to be able to sustain and produce a movie.”

Carpe Diem Pictures has released eight titles leading up to its anniversary, with “Take Me to Banaue” being the first film to be recorded in both the United States and the Philippines, every previous film being located in Dallas where the community has been a pillar of support. With his two latest projects to be publicly announced, Carpe Diem Pictures encourages its community to come engage on set and share in cultural representation.

“As a Filipino American, we are in this together,” Aguilar said. “This is our project. This is something that I want everybody to be proud of. Hopefully they will come and support just like what they've been doing in the last 7 years.”