Because the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival is a nationwide activity, all the Filipino movies to be shown during its entire run from Christmas Day, December 25, 2024 to January 7, 2025 will not only be shown in Metro Manila but in the provinces as well.
In this case, Region 8 towns and cities which carry mall cinemas and stand-alone movie houses will be host to the ten official entries to this year’s fest.
The cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, Catbalogan etc. which have Robinsons, Ayala Malls and SM malls will practically screen the ten outstanding movies which the MMFF Selection Committee has chosen.
Last week, the last five official line-up to make up the ten movies were announced at the Podium Hall at the 6th Floor of The Podium Mall in Mandaluyong City.
Don Artes, the Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) led the announcement of the lucky last five choices.
They are: Strawdogs Studio’s “Topakk,” an action offering which presents Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes etc. directed by Richard Somes; Mintorque and Project 8 Projects’ “Uninvited,” a horror which showcases Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III etc. directed by Dan Villegas; Regal Films’ “My Future You,” a romantic tale which stars Seth Fedelin, Francine Diaz etc. directed by Crisanto Aquino, Cineko Productions and Quantum Films’ “Espantaho,” a thriller which features Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino et al directed by Chito Rono; and Viva Communications’ “Hold Me Close,” drama which top bills Carlo Aquino, Julia Barretto et al directed by Jason Paul Laxamana.
Meanwhile, last July, the first five entries where announced and they are: ABS-CBN Films and IdeaFirst Company’s “And the Breadwinner Is…,” a comedy which presents Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo etc. directed by Jun Robles Lana; “Green Bones,” a drama with a twist which showcases Dennis Trillo, Kylie Padilla etc. directed Zig Dulay; Reality MM Studios’ “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” a suspense thriller which stars Enrique Gil, Jane de Leon etc. directed by Kerwin Go; Creazion’s “Himala, Isang Musikal,” a musical which features Aicel Santos, Bituin Escalante directed by Jose Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno and MQuest Ventures , M-Zet Productions and APT Entertainment’s “The Kingdom,” a neo-drama which top bills Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual directed by Michael Tuviera.
According to Artes, the first five movies were chosen based on their scripts while the last five entries from seventy submissions were selected by virtue of their finished products.
“We will try to revive the MMFF Summer Film Festival next year so that we can accommodate the other entries deserving of showing,” said Artes.
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