Margie Templo Parks

With her life's work and love being in Film Production, Margie Templo Parks is a Director and Producer with twenty-five years of experience in numerous media formats. As a Director in advertising in Manila, she has delivered commercial spots on food for well-known brands, and industrial videos with narratives on family, love and kids. Early in her career, she worked as a Director-Producer in children’s television on shows like “Batibot" (Small But Strong), the Philippine version of “Sesame Street.” In 2000, she established her production company Arkeofilms, and has since produced award-winning short, documentary and feature films.

As a Producer, she has received training from prestigious international programs, including the Rotterdam Lab for Emerging Producers and the Berlinale Talent Campus, where she received the Talent Highlight Award. After mounting the U.S.-Philippines co-production of “Amigo," by world-renowned American writer-director John Sayles, she moved her career to Los Angeles in 2012.

As a valued member of the independent film community and the film festival scene in the Philippines, Margie Templo Parks founded the Manila Film Financing Forum (now adopted as the DGPI Film Pitch by the local directors' guild). In addition to "Amigo" which was shot entirely on a remote island in the Philippines with a global cast and mostly Filipino crew, other career highlights include the drama thriller "Child Of Grace" directed by Ian McCrudden (acquired by the Lifetime Movie Network), the award-winning feature documentary "Kano: An American And His Harem" by Monster Jimenez, and short films of Joel Ruiz, including the award-winning "Mansyon" (The Mansion).

As a commercial director, she directed three seasons of "Kusinabilidad" (Kitchen Ability), a series of food/cooking spots for client SAFI Heinz UFC under agency Harrison Communications (subsidiary of McCann Worldgroup Philippines), and a successful online how-to series for client Del Monte Kitchenomics. Earlier directorial work includes the short music narrative "Pananatili" (Stay) and a music video for the popular song "Let The Pain Remain" by international artist Rachelle Ann Go.

Margie graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Film from the University of the Philippines. She was once a member of the Philippine women's underwater hockey team and has recorded four albums with her choral group Hangad (Dream). She sings alto and creates virtual choir videos for the Philippine Chamber Singers Los Angeles.