One of the premiere film festivals in the Philippines, the MMFF is an annual event organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority to showcase local films and filmmakers. The festival runs from Christmas to January of the following year, showcasing its entries in cinemas nationwide. So whether you’re a certified film buff or a casual fan, the MMFF is always an event to look forward to.
Celebrating its 50th year with the theme Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta (roughly: A Healthy Movie Industry at 50), the MMFF unveiled the first few entries for this year’s festival at a grand launch event. Out of 39 script submissions from filmmakers all over the country, five were chosen to be part of this first batch.
Drama-comedy film And The Breadwinner Is… is first on the list. Directed by Jun Lana and starring Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo, the film will follow a breadwinner as she strives to provide for her family. The film also serves as a tribute to unsung Filipino heroes who carry the dreams of their loved ones on their shoulders.
Meanwhile, Green Bones directed by Zig Dulay and written by National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner Anj Atienza is another finalist on the list. The film is set to star Dennis Trillo and Sofia Pablo, however not much is known about this suspense and drama film. But being helmed by the creative minds behind last year’s MMFF entry Firefly has made it an anticipated entry among netizens.
An adaptation of a classic Filipino film-turned-musical is also an MMF finalist. Himala: Isang Musikal directed by Pepe Diokno and is set to star Aicelle Santos, Bituin Escalante, David Ezra and Vic Robinson in an adaptation of the 2003 musical of the same name, which is in turn an adaptation of the 1982 film by Ismael Bernal. Himala: Isang Musikal follows the story of Elsa, a woman who, after seeing an apparition of the Virgin Mary during an eclipse, becomes a faith healer in her local town. The film explores themes of blind faith and herd mentality, with the original film being hailed as one of the best Filipino films of all time.
Moving on to a more chilling genre, Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital is the horror entry in this year’s MMFF. Directed by Kerwin Go, the film will star Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon, Rob Gomez, Alexa Miro and MJ Lastimosa in an ensemble horror. While details of the story have not yet been announced, audiences are sure to expect something to scream their lungs out.
And last but not least is The Kingdom directed by Michael Tuviera and starring Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual. The action-drama film marks Vic Sotto’s return in the MMFF after five years, while Piolo Pascual starred in last year’s MMFF horror entry Mallari,
This year’s MMFF entries are looking at showcasing the breadth and depth of Philippine cinema, with various award-winning filmmakers and actors working on the films. The complete list of entries will be announced on October 15, 2024, so let’s stay tuned and look forward to the next batch of films.
Which among the first five entries to the MMFF are you looking forward to seeing the most? Share it with us in the comments section below!