The upcoming summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) slated for April elicits an overwhelming response from filmmakers and producers after receiving a total of 33 film submissions.
Of the overall number of films submitted, 23 are new films, while 10 are resubmissions from the December 2022 MMFF.
MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF Over-all Chair Atty. Don Artes described the first Summer MMFF as “historic” as it received the highest number of film submissions since the MMFF started.
“With the record-breaking number of films that have been submitted to us, we can say that our local movie industry is back in their game and is starting to create more quality films again for us to enjoy in the first-ever Summer MMFF,” Artes said.
“The MMDA and the film industry are both excited and looking forward to the success of the summer film fest which is another avenue to showcase local talent in making world-class Filipino films,” he added.
“The MMFF’s victory is the victory of the whole Philippine film industry.”
The eight official entries to be included in the film festival will be announced on February 24. They will be selected based on the following criteria: artistic excellence (40 percent), commercial appeal (40 percent), Filipino cultural sensibility (10 percent), and global appeal (10 percent).
The first Summer MMFF will run in all cinemas nationwide from April 8 to 18, with the Parade of Stars scheduled to be held in Quezon City on April 1 and the Awards Night will take place on April 11.