Three Filipino films featured at the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) reaped praises for their success at the first-ever Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.
During the pre-launch press conference in LA, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman and MMFF overall chairman Romando Artes said the MIFF is the “first step towards recognition of Philippine movies and talent.”
“We believe in the talent of our filmmakers and we know that our local film industry just needs exposure and more opportunities to showcase them. This is the primary reason why we are expanding MMFF to show these films not just in local cinemas, but also to the international audience,” he said.
“We want the MIFF to be part of the Christmas tradition of Filipinos living abroad,” Artes added.
Artes also expressed hopes that through MIFF, the country can get a film nomination for the Academy Awards or Oscars which are presented every year in recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements in the United States and across the globe.
The three films set to be screened are: “About Us But Not About Us” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, directed by Jun Lana, which won Summer MMFF 2023 Best Picture; “Here Comes The Groom” starring Enchong Dee, Miles Ocampo, and Kaladkaren, directed by Chris Martinez, and “Love You Long Time” starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano, directed by JP Habac.
Directors, actors, and actresses from the three movies expressed gratitude for giving them a platform to tell Filipino stories through movies that can be enjoyed by Filipinos and other nationalities alike.
“It is in the way we tell our stories that we educate people of who we are and that in itself is what makes us unique and worthy of seeing,” said Summer MMFF Best Actor Romnick Sarmenta, who was also present at the launch.
For the local filmmaking industry, it’s a bounce back from the effects of the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic for the past few years, observers noted.
Also set to be screened next year in LA are the ten official entries of the 49th edition of the Metro Manila International Film Festival.