ALIX (center) flanked by the stars of “Romeo and Juliet” (from left): Lemuelle Pelayo, Alessandra de Rossi, Victor Basa and Max Eigenmann.

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino filmmaker Adolfo Alix Jr. has been listed by The Hollywood Reporter (THR) among 20 young entertainment personalities dubbed “Next Generation Asia 2010.”

Alix told the Inquirer that Tommaso Campione, executive international director of THR, informed him of his inclusion on the list, which includes Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu (of “Bishonen”), Thai filmmaker Chookiat Sakveerakul (“The Love of Siam”) and Korean actress Kim Ok-vin (“Thirst”).

All the honorees were profiled in the March 12 international edition of the London-based paper.

Alix said he would attend the formal reception on March 23 in former Crown Colony, during the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Best and brightest

According to THR, the honorees, “all age 35 and under … [are] the best and the brightest among their peers” from a vast region considered “the world’s biggest entertainment market.”

Alix, the lone Filipino in the list, said the honor was “a pleasant surprise.”

“I’m thankful and glad they chose someone from the Philippines. It’ll be an inspiration to do better,” the 31-year-old director told the Inquirer .

The Hollywood Reporter essay pointed out that Alix isn’t just one of the most promising, he is also one of the most prolific and hardest-working filmmakers in the current indie scene.

Right decision

Since his 2006 directorial debut, “Donsol,” he has megged about 13 feature films.

With the first quarter of the current year barely over, he has already finished three movies—“Romeo at Juliet” (which opened March 24), “Presa” and “D’Survivors.”

Jean Altavas, writer and producer of “Romeo at Juliet,” was “excited” when she learned of Alix’s THR honor.

“I knew I made the right decision, entrusting my story to him,” Altavas explained. “He understood what I was trying to express with the story. Plus, he continuously collaborates with the cast and crew.”

Lead star Alessandra de Rossi agreed. “He listens to my inputs. We go a long way back. We got close during the shoot of ‘Mga Munting Tinig’ which he co-wrote (in 2002).” De Rossi also said she and Alix grew up together.