The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) returned to its roots in Manila as the city hosted the grand launch of the festival’s 50th edition at Antonio Villegas Hall in Manila City Hall yesterday.
The event was graced by distinguished guests, including First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos. The launch emphasized MMFF’s significant role in shaping the country’s cultural landscape over the past five decades.
Attorney Romando Artes from MMFF and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chaired the event and outlined the festival’s ongoing support for the film industry.
“Since 2016, all amusement taxes waived by local government units during MMFF have been allocated to beneficiaries such as the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Optical Media Board (OMB), and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP),” noted Artes.
“Last year’s MMFF grossed over 1.2 billion pesos and featured the highest-grossing film of all time. This tradition will continue to inspire future generations,” added the MMDA chairman.
The first batch of official entries, selected from 39 finished scripts, was also announced. The entries include: And the Bread Winner Is by Jun Robles Lana, produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. & The Ideafirst Company, starring Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo; GMA Pictures’ Green Bones, starring Sofia Pablo and Dennis Trillo; Reality MM Studios, Inc.’s Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital featuring Jane de Leon, Enrique Gil, Alexa Miro, and MJ Lastimosa; Himala Isang Musikal, produced by Kapitol Films/Unitel and starring Aicelle Santos and Bituin Escalante; and ATP/Mzet and MQuest’s The Kingdom, starring Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual.
Hosted by Belle Daza and Jake Ejercito, the event revisited MMFF’s rich history and honored its past editions, including its highly successful summer and international editions.
During the event, a commemorative video traced MMFF’s impactful journey through the years, complemented by the unveiling of its 50th-anniversary logo, symbolizing its profound influence on Philippine cinema.
As a ramp-up event leading to the culmination of the festival in December, the MMFF is holding on-ground activities.
In August, a special MMFF classic poster mural will be revealed in collaboration with i-Academy. September will feature ‘Sine-Singkwenta,’ offering screenings of 50 beloved Filipino classics nationwide for just P50 per ticket.
In October, MMFF50 will have its regional launch at Universidad de Manila, featuring a Student Film Caravan that includes directing and acting masterclasses in partnership with the FDCP. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn from industry professionals, though it may be challenging for those with limited access to attend. November will bring a celebrity golf tournament and a fundraising masterclass, offering a unique way to engage and support the film community, although it might not appeal to everyone.
Finally, December will culminate in the highly anticipated Parade of Stars, Sponsors Night, and Gabi ng Parangal (Night of Awards), marking the pinnacle of the festival’s celebrations. While these events promise excitement and recognition for Filipino cinema, they could also present logistical challenges and increased costs.
Under the theme “Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta,” this year’s festival celebrates 50 years of Filipino culture and pride. The announcement of a new trophy designed by Filipino-American visual artist JEFRÉ added to the anticipation of the upcoming festivities.
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