The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is pushing through online starting December 25, 2020 with two more films than the traditional 8 entries.
According to members of the organizing body, since MMFF 2020 is happening online, theater screenings are no longer an issue so they decided to add two more films to the line-up.
The full list of entries are as follows: Magikland, Coming Home, The Missing, Tagpuan, Isa Pang Bahaghari, Suarez the Healing Priest, Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim, Pakboys Takusa, The Boys Foretold by the Stars, and Fan Girl.
“Magikland” will star a wide-array of new talents such as Jun Urbano, Migs Cuaderno, Joshua Eugenio and Jamir Zabarte among others. The film is directed by Christian Acuna and labeled as a fantasy-adventure film.
Meanwhile, two family dramas, “Coming Home” and “Isa Pang Bahaghari” will tug at every Filipino’s heartstrings with the presence of veteran actors and actresses. Among the stars of Coming Home are Sylvia Sanchez, Jinggoy Estrada, Martin del Rosario, and Jake Ejercito, while for Isa Pang Bahaghari, veterans Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador are included.
Although not a family drama, “Suarez: The Healing Priest” is another drama film to look out for. The cast includes John Arcilla, Allan Paule, Leo Martinez and Jin Macapagal, and is directed by Joven Tan. But for those looking for a little more romance, Mac C. Alejandre’s “Tagpuan” is the perfect film to see. This stars Alfred Vargas, Shaina Magdayo and Iza Calzado.
If drama is not to one’s taste, MMFF 2020 also offers two comedy films “Mang Kepweng” and “ Pakboys: Takusa”. Directed by Topel Lee, Mang Kepweng stars comedic legends Vhong Navarro with actors Benjie Paras, Ion Perez, Fumiya Sankai, and more. As for Al Tantay’s Pakboys: Takusa, stars include Dennis Padilla, Andrew E. and Ana Roces among others.
As for the younger fans, the coming-of-age drama by Antoinette Jadaone entitled “Fan Girl” which stars Charlie Dizon and Paulo Avelino. Moreover, this generation’s audience of the Boys Love genre can expect “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” to sweep them off their feet. Directed by Dolly Dulu, this film will present actors Adrian Lindayag and Keann Johnson.
Finally, Easy Ferrer’s “The Missing” is the only horror film to enter this year’s MMFF, but rest assured it will be one for the books. The horror film includes actors and actress Ritz Azul, Joseph Marco, and Miles Ocampo.
This line-up was chosen based on artistic excellence (40%), commercial appeal (40%), Filipino sensibility (10%), and global appeal (10%). Film viewers can catch all ten films until January 8, 2021.
Similarly, common activities and festivities such as the Parade of the Stars and the Gabi ng Parangal will be streamed online. This is in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions and protocols.
Following its digital run, MMFF 2020 is possible with the co-presentation of Globe and in partnership with the transactional video-on-demand platform Upstream and online platform for cinema bookings and third-party video streaming GMovies.
This news follows the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announcement of the three-way partnership during a press conference on November 24.
Proceeds from film viewers will go towards select beneficiaries in the Philippine film industry.
Are you excited to watch the offerings of this year’s MMFF? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.