METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes foresees unprecedented accomplishments in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
For the first time, the MMFF will be showcasing 10 locally-produced films this year, with the view of promoting and preserving Philippine cinema, with proceeds from the festival going to various beneficiaries in the film industry.
This year’s MMFF featured movies include “A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story),” “(K)Ampon,” “Penduko,” “Rewind,” “Becky and Badette,” “Broken Heart’s Trip,” “Firefly,” “GomBurZa,” “Mallari,” and “When I Met You in Tokyo.” They will be shown in Philippine theaters from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2024.
The 49th MMFF edition was organized by the MMDA in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
During the festival, no foreign films will be shown in domestic cinemas and theaters in order to bring public focus on locally-produced films.
Among the beneficiaries of the MMFF proceeds are the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Artes on Thursday led the inauguration of the MMFF Auditorium which serves as a venue for the celebration and promotion of Filipino artistic talents and creativity.
Artes, the concurrent MMFF overall chairman, said the MMDA is strongly committed to providing the utmost support to the plans and programs of the festival for the benefit of the movie and entertainment industry.
“This is a milestone for the MMFF, a fitting tribute to its almost five-decade success which greatly contributes to Philippine cinema, producing films that have been recognized not just in our country but also internationally,” he said.
The MMFF Auditorium, located on the 5th floor of the new MMDA building in Pasig City, was designed like a usual movie house with a large screen and 152 seats.
This facility will be the venue for the various events of the film festival.
“Through the MMFF Auditorium, we aim to honor the invaluable contributions of Filipino filmmakers and recognize the significance of Philippine cinema in the overall cultural developmental effort for the
country,” Artes said.
MMFF actors and actresses including Christopher De Leon, Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsey, Alden Richards, Eugene Dominguez, Enchong Dee,
Alessandra de Rossi, Kylie Versoza, Christian Bables,
graced the event.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto congratulated the MMDA for the establishment of the MMDA Auditorium in recognition of the MMDA’s contribution to the successes of the Philippine cinema industry.