The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is bringing back the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in cinemas this year.
“The long wait is over. There is no stopping the Metro Manila Film Festival. We are bringing back the MMFF to the silver screens that have been shut down for almost two years due to the coronavirus pandemic ,” said MMDA and MMFF concurrent chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr.
This year’s festival will showcase a diverse line-up of eight movies, ranging from social drama, horror, action, suspense, romance, to comedy horror.
Abalos said the Inter-Agency Task Force and Department of Trade and Industry have set guidelines to ensure that cinemas adhere to all the safety protocols as “we are still facing threats of COVID-19 despite the easing of restrictions.”
Aside from showing the movie entries in cinemas, the film festival 2021 will also hold a parade and awards night in December.
The MMFF is an annual event held every Christmas organized primarily to promote and enhance the preservation of the Philippine cinema.
Proceeds from the film festival go to several beneficiaries in the film industry.
The eight official entries in the MMFF 2021 which will be shown beginning on Christmas day are: A Hard Day, starring Dingdong Dantes and John Arcilla, and directed by Lawrence Fajardo; Big Night, stars Christian Bables and directed by Jun Robles Lana, Love At First Stream stars Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, and Kaori Oinuma; Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether The Weather Is Fine), starring Daniel Padilla and Charo Santos, and directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad; Nelia, starring WynWyn Marquez and Raymond Bagatsing, and directed by Lester Dimaranan; Huwag Kang Lalabas, starring Kim Chiu, Beauty Gonzales, and Aiko Melendes, and directed by Adolf Alix Jr.; The Exorsis, starring Toni and Alex Gonzaga, and directed by Fifth Solomon; and Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw, starring Ken Chan and Rita Daniela, and directed by Louie Ignacio.
The eight official entries have been selected out of 19 finished films that were evaluated. The entries were chosen based on the following criteria: Artistic Excellence – 40%; Commercial Appeal – 40%; Filipino Sensibility – 10% and Global Appeal – 10%.