Preparations underway for 50th Metro Manila Film Festival
December is eight months away, but many are already excited about the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. The 50th Metro Manila Film Festival is not just another event on the calendar, it’s a landmark edition that movie enthusiasts eagerly await. On April 5, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes unveiled the exciting calendar of events and activities for this significant milestone of the MMFF.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has announced that the city has been chosen to host this year’s festival. To celebrate this occasion, Lacuna made plans for the grand parade of stars to make their way through the bustling streets of Tondo on Dec. 15. The 50th MMFF Gabi ng Parangal Awards Night will be held on Dec. 27.
“Manila City is 110 percent in support of the Metro Manila Film Festival, and the city is excited to host the 50th edition of MMFF,” said Mayor Lacuna.
With plans to showcase eight films, possibly expanding to 10 entries, and involving 900 theaters, the MMDA ensures that a broad audience can enjoy the movies.
“Although the committee has decided to select only eight films, it will depend on whether there are more quality films. The committee will allow adding more film entries,” said the
MMDA chief.
On July 1, the MMDA will announce the first four official script entries. On Oct. 15, the following four official finished film entries will be revealed.
Artes announced that the Metro Manila Council had passed a resolution to review the amusement tax with plans to lower the MMFF ticket prices.
The MMDA is making every effort to prepare for this year’s MMFF. In a show of dedication, they have decided to forgo the second annual Summer Film Festival to focus on the preparations for the MMFF. A series of activities will mark the MMFF’S 50th anniversary, promising a grand celebration.
The committee plans to have Sine Singkwenta, where old MMFF film entries will be shown in selected cinemas for only ₱50 to showcase good-quality films.
In addition to the official film entries, the MMFF will again conduct the MMFF Student Short Film Caravan to give students a chance to showcase their filmmaking talents.
The committee will select eight short films to be shown before the official film entries start in cinemas nationwide. The students will also have the chance to study abroad to learn more about filmmaking.
“Since the pandemic, we are excited to bring back the MMFF Student Film Festival, where Filipino students aged 15 to 19 can submit their short films. Selected short films will be shown before the screening of the official film entries,” said Chairman Artes.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) which marked several “firsts” throughout its duration.
Star Cinema’s official entry for the MMFF, Rewind, with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, set a new record as the Philippines’ highestgrossing film, recording a gross total of ₱845 million in local and international sales.
Gomburza, the epic film about Philippine history’s three martyred priests, became the most-awarded film of MMFF 2023 after it received seven trophies: Best Actor, Best Director, 2nd Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound Design, and received the special Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award.
After the 49th MMFF, the MMFF Committee launched the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), which screened the 10 official 2023 film festival entries in Los Angeles, California, USA, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.
Still high from the success of the 49th edition of the MMFF, Artes believes that Filipinos are finally returning to the cinemas. “Napabalik ng MMFF ang interest ng tao sa sinehan (MMFF has brought back people's interest in cinema).”
The 50th Metro Manila Film Festival is not just another event on the calendar, it’s a landmark edition that movie enthusiasts eagerly await.
(Robert R. Requintina is the entertainment editor of Manila Bulletin)