Chris Martinez

Christopher D. Martinez is a Filipino screenwriter, director, producer, and playwright. He is best known for writing the films Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, the Kimmy Dora series, and Caregiver (2008), and directing 100 (2008), Here Comes the Bride (2010) and The Gifted (2014). A Palanca Award-winning playwright, Martinez has earned critical acclaim for his work in both theater and film.

His accolades include multiple awards from the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, among others.

He is also the author of the book Laugh Trip.

He studied business administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman before transitioning to a career in writing and film.

Career Before making his feature-length directorial debut, Martinez worked as a screenwriter. He wrote the screenplay for Bridal Shower (2004), an official entry to the 29th Metro Manila Film Festival, marking his first collaboration with director Jeffrey Jeturian. The following year, he re-teamed with Jeturian for Bikini Open (2005).

He made his directorial debut in 2008 with the Cinemalaya drama film 100. The film received the Audience Award at the 4th Cinemalaya Film Festival, while Martinez won Best Director and Best Screenplay. where it won the Audience Award. The film competed internationally at the 8th Osaka Asian Film Festival and the Far East Film Festival. Martinez received nominations for Movie Director of the Year and Movie Screenwriter of the Year at the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Movies.

In 2014, Martinez wrote the screenplay and directed the dark comedy film The Gifted, which screen both locally and abroad. The film was invited to participate in the 17th Far East Film Festival.

Martinez served as writer and director of the 2016 comedy, Working Beks. He described the film as presenting a more varied portrayal of gay characters, moving away from the stereotypical effeminate roles that were often used for humor in earlier Philippine cinema.

In 2024, he wrote the screenplay for Espantaho, directed by Roño, which was an official entry to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. The pair earned the Best Screenplay award at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival. He has also cited Comedy Writing Secrets by Melvin Helitzer as an influence on his comedic approach, noting that it taught him that the most effective comedy is rooted in emotional pain.

His work frequently employs farcical situations, satire, and exaggerated character dynamics. His work as a writer on Ang Babae sa Septic Tank pokes fun at conventions of independent filmmaking in the Philippines. For the sequel, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2, Martinez’s script has been described as having rhythm. Director Marlon Rivera, who collaborated with him on the film, credited Martinez’s writing for the humor and character antics, and noted that Martinez is strict about actors following the script. The film continues the series’ satirical approach to Philippine cinema, which has been described as poking fun at commercial and formulaic filmmaking and exploring the tension between commercial value and film quality.

Writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rito P. Asilo noted that Martinez delivers a briskly paced comedic tone in The Gifted (2014) that balances humor with cautionary drama while exploring themes of love, friendship, and ambition.

In an interview discussing Here Comes the Groom (2023), Martinez explained that his preproduction work places emphasis on casting choices, and said that the sequel was “more pointed toward the conversation on gender identity.”

Filmography

Film Year Title Credited as Notes Director Screenwriter Producer 1995 Proboys Story and screenplay 2004 Bridal Shower 2005 Bikini Open 2006 Sukob 2008 Caregiver Story and screenplay 100 2009 Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme 2010 Here Comes the Bride The Woman in the Septic Tank Creative Supervisor Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 "Segment: Rain, Rain, Go Away" 2012 Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! 2013 Instant Mommy Status: It's Complicated Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel Story and screenplay 2014 The Gifted Beauty in a Bottle Creative Producer 2015 You're Still the One 2016 Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin Segment: "Asawa ni Marie" Working Beks Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough 2017 Extra Service Meant to Beh Story and screenplay 2019 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken 2023 Here Comes the Groom Standalone sequel 2024 Espantaho 2025 Kontrabida Academy

Television Year Title RoleNotes 2017 I Heart Davao Head writer 2018-2023 Daddy's Gurl Director and head writer Creator 2019 Mga Batang Poz Director Web Miniseries

Theater

Works

Plays Last Order sa Penguin (2001)

2012

New Currents Award Audience Award

Best Film Best Screenplay

Best Director Audience Choice 2011 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Best Screenplay - New Breed

2009 Caregiver Best Story

2004 Bridal Shower

2012

2012 Best Screenplay

Best Original Screenplay

Best Director

Best Story

Best Original Screenplay Best Director

Best Story Best Original Screenplay

Best Story

Best Original Screenplay Best Director

2011 Caregiver

2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank

2008 100 Golden Star 2013 Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel

2016 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough 2024 Espantaho 2025 UnMarry

2013 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila! Grand Prix

100 Digital Movie Original Screenplay of the Year

Caregiver Movie Original Screenplay of the Year 100 Digital Movie Director of the Year 2010 Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme

Movie Director of the Year 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Digital Movie Original Screenplay of the Year

Movie Screenwriter of the Year

Movie Director of the Year

Best Screenplay

Best Director

Kontrabida Academy

UnMarry

2011 Here Comes the Bride Audience Award 2005 "Welcome to Intelstar" One-Act Play 2007 "Our Lady of Arlegui" Dulaang May Isang Yugto (One-Act Play) 2013 "Ang Singsing-Pari sa Pisara" Maikling Kwentong Pambata (Children's Short Story) Honors and state recognition + Organization Year Nominee/Work Category Result Ref. Indie Bravo! Awards 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Scriptwriter