In its commitment to support and honor the local film industry through the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) inaugurated the MMFF Auditorium, which serves as a venue for the celebration and promotion of Filipino artistic talents and creativity.
MMDA Acting Chairman and concurrent MMFF Over-all Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the MMDA is strongly committed to providing utmost support to the plans and programs of the MMFF 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,” said Atty. Artes.
The MMFF Auditorium, located on the 5th floor of the new MMDA Head Office in Pasig City, is designed like a usual movie house with a big screen and 152 comfortable theater 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,” he added.
MMFF Stars, including Christopher De Leon, Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsey, Alden Richards, Eugene Dominguez, Enchong Dee, Alessandra de Rossi, Kylie Versoza, Christian Bables, among others graced the event.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto congratulated the MMDA for the establishment of the MMDA Auditorium as recognition of MMDA’s contribution in the successes of the Philippine cinema industry.
Meanwhile, Artes expressed confidence that the 49th edition of the MMFF would set new records with a wide range of genres, inviting the public to watch all 10 films and support the festival, which has been a big part of the Christmas tradition of many Filipino families.
Ten films, including “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” will be screened from December 25 to January 7 in Philippine theaters.
During the film festival, no foreign films are shown in cinemas and theaters in order to showcase locally-produced films.
Organized by the MMDA, the MMFF is aimed primarily at promoting and enhancing the preservation of Philippine cinema.
This year’s edition of the MMFF is presented in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Proceeds from the MMFF go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry such as the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. #
