'Bottom four' MMFF films fight to stay in cinemas
The "bottom four" en tries of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Tuesday urged moviegoers to see what their films have to offer as they fight to stay in theaters.
According to MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer, these movies must fill up at least 10% to 20% of the cinemas where they are being screened so they can stay in the bigger theat er s.
Otherwise, they will either be transferred to smaller theaters or be pulled out of cinemas.
"This year, ang nangyari, first two days walang tanggalan. Tapos after the second day, i-aassess whether or not ilalagay sa mas maliit na theaters or tatanggalin. Until the certain time na may interest ulit, after the awards night, puwedeng ibalik naman 'yong mga nanalong mga pelikula," Ferrer explained.
On Day 3 of the MMFF, the bottom four films (in no particular order) “Kabisera,”“Oro,” “Saving Sally” and “Sunday Beauty Queen” took to their respective Facebook pages asking moviegoers to support their films.
The official page of “Kabisera”posted: “Itaas ang ating tinig, ipaglaban natin ang Kabisera na mabuksan pa at maipalabas sa marami pang sinehan. Hindi lang sa kalakhang Maynila maging sa iba pang mga pr obi nsya.”
As of writing, the Nora Aunor-starrer is showing in 30 cinemas in Metro Manila, according to Click The City.
The movie “Oro,” meanwhile, admitted that it is being screened in fewer theaters on its third day.
“Nabawasan man kami ng sinehan pero patuloy parin ang laban ng ORO!! Punta na sa pinakamalapit na Mall at manuod ng Oro ngayong araw! Samahan niyo kami sa labang ito,” its post r ead.
According to the same post, the movie is currently screening at 27 cinemas within Metro Mani l a.
It is a different case for “Saving Sally” which announced that more cinemas are now screening the quirky film.
“Mga kakampi!!! Dahil sa inyo, nadagdagan na tayo ng mga sinehan na magpapalabas ng aming munting pelikula. Sa mga hindi pa nakakanood, huwag palampasin ang pagkakataong masilayan ang galing ng Pinoy,” its post read.
The movie is currently showing in 40 cinemas in Metro Manila.
The film “Sunday Beauty Queen” listed on Facebook all the 30 cinemas that are currently screening the film.
“THIRD DAY NA NG Sunday Beauty Queen sa mga sinehan! An official entry to the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival,” its post read.
“Suportahan po natin ang mga pelikulang kalahok sa MMFF,” it added.
To further help the four movies, the MMFF announced that "Sunday Beauty Queen," "Saving Sally," "Oro," and "Kabisera" will offer a 30% to students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior citizens starting Tuesday.
On Monday, the MMFF executive committee announced the top four earners (in alphabetical order) on opening day: "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2," "Die Beautiful," "Seklusyon" and "Vince and Kath and James."
According to Ferrer, he believes that more movies will earn a profit this year, after the entries of production giants were dropped from the festival. Unlike in previous years, Ferrer said that the 2016 MMFF is more "democratized".
For this year, Ferrer said the goal if the MMFF is to give a venue to small productions with great films, which will benefit not just the audience but also the industry and the festiv al .