Gene Cajayon's life began in the midst of the tumultuous Vietnam War, in the city of Saigon, where his Filipino father and Vietnamese-French mother brought him into the world.
As an infant, he and his family embarked on a perilous journey to the United States, ultimately finding a new home in Orange County, California.
Growing up in this culturally rich environment, Gene developed a profound appreciation for the art of filmmaking at a remarkably young age.
His cinematic influences span a wide range of acclaimed directors, including the visionary Ang Lee and the innovative Spike Lee, whose groundbreaking work continues to inspire him to this day.
Gene is deeply committed to showcasing a diverse representation of America in his work, reflecting his unique blend of Filipino, Vietnamese, and American cultures that have shaped his artistic perspective.
Cajayon's cinematic journey began at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he enrolled in film school and set his sights on creating his debut feature film, a groundbreaking coming-of-age story that would delve into the intricacies of a Filipino American family's journey. As he worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life, Cajayon collaborated with the esteemed producer Lisa Onodera, whose impressive portfolio includes the critically acclaimed film Picture Bride. The painstaking eight-year production process was a testament to Cajayon's unwavering dedication to his craft, and his perseverance ultimately paid off when The Debut premiered at various film festivals, garnering widespread recognition and accolades, including top honors for Best Feature Film at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
The film's phenomenal success on the prestigious festival circuit served as a catalyst for Cajayon's bold and ambitious self-distribution strategy, which aimed to directly promote the film to Asian Pacific American and mainstream audiences across the United States. For a prolonged period of two years, Cajayon, along with Onodera and a dedicated team of six staff members, embarked on an exhaustive journey to 15 major cities, utilizing an array of innovative grassroots promotional tactics, targeted advertising, and traditional media coverage to effectively disseminate the film to a broader audience. Ultimately, the Debut achieved a commendable box office gross of $1.8 million, and its outstanding quality was further recognized with the prestigious Ammy Award for Best Independent Feature Film.
The film's remarkable box office achievement led to a lucrative distribution agreement with Sony Pictures, subsequently making it accessible to a global audience of over 50 countries, encompassing both domestic and international releases across various platforms. This includes initial theatrical runs, subsequent DVD and home video releases, as well as television broadcasts.
Apart from his film endeavors, Cajayon is actively engaged in developing an array of feature and television projects, one of which is the poignant feature film, Saturday Morning Christmas. This cinematic masterpiece delves into the profound and universal themes of belonging, identity, and the redemptive power of faith, as it tells the poignant story of an immigrant family navigating the complexities of their new surroundings.
