Mark Daniel De Castro is a media production company owner, filmmaker and visual storyteller.
Daniel's idea of being a media production company owner and visual storyteller was born when he first began to learn about art as a medium. He has been able to express his ideas through the use of film. Running around in circles inside the school premises as a photojournalist and layout & design creative, he proved that motion pictures can record events as they happen and make the events available again in real-time playback.
He started to master filmmaking as a cinematographer, film editor, and colorist for a film organization. Leading fellow cinephiles to broaden a wide background in conceptualization for design and feasibility of effectiveness for post-production.
His first narrative film (Grow My Mind) as an independent filmmaker was introduced in 2020 and is being regarded by thousands of Filipinos on iWantTFC and international film festivals.
Being recognized by different government agencies and non-government organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, his unique perspective and influence on his creative works appraised participation in local governance and development processes. Also, both parties broadened community engagement wherever his projects are released on screen.
Recently, he showcased his latest film project entitled Sariling Gunita (2022) featuring National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario. The film opens the call to love oneself while discovering Philippine culture. You can watch it now on Youtube!
He co-founded a cinema camera rental business. His first mainstream media project, "Hele by Eros Rhodes" when worked with MELVIN DAVE and TMP Productions.
He also worked on music videos for names like Mista Blaze and Jeasper Ahongon. Some of his clients include Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Bulacan State University, Rotary and Rotaract, ZarWrap Homemade Ilocos Empanada, and many more.
While all of these efforts have been critical to success, they still happened largely in solitariness. The key missing piece has been the ability to connect civic groups and creative individuals with each other, their members, and stakeholders who are interested in initiatives that will advance a better world.
Find your story. Tell it. Live it.
AWARDS:
Sariling Gunita (Narrative short film)
Ika-35 Gawad CCP Para Sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video 2023 (Philippines) | SINEliksik Bulacan Docu Special 2022: Alagad ng Sining na Bulakenyo, Dangal ng lahing Pilipino!" (Philippines) | Cinema Rehiyon 15 @ Montañosa Film Festival 2023 (Philippines) | "Story?" International Student Documentary Festival (Ireland)
Halagahan Sa Akin (Narrative short film)
NCCA CinemaLamrag Online National Video Contest 2021 (Philippines) | Oroquieta Film Festival 2021 (Philippines) | Asian Film Festival 2022 (Canada)
Grow My Mind (Narrative short film)
Klima Film Festival 2020 (Philippines) | Kalakari Film Festival 2021 (India) | First-Time Filmmaker Online Sessions 2020 (UK | Hollywood) | Hamilton Arts Festival 2021 (USA)
Dindo (Narrative short film)
CineKabalen Film Festival 2019 (Philippines) | Cine Culinarya Film Festival 2022 (Philippines) | Hapag Ng Pamana: Pagkaing Pilipino Susi Sa Pag-Unlad at Pagbabago” 2022 (NCCA | Philippines)
Banayad / Kalmado (Fashion Film)
Sessions By Lift-Off Global Network 2021 (UK | Hollywood) | Noble International Film Festival And Awards 2021 (India)
RECOGNITIONS:
BulSU Gold Gears International Competition Awardee (Film) | 2020 - 2023
BulSU Student Goverment Batingaw: Gawad Lingkod Kabataan Awardee | 2019