The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which opened on December 25, 2023, reported that combined gross receipts of its 10 film festival entries have reached a record-breaking level of P1.069 billion, as of January 7.
The figures, MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF concurrent overall chairman Atty. Don Artes said, have broken the P1.061 billion record set by the MMFF in 2018, even though there were only around 800 cinemas open as opposed to the 1,200 cinemas opened back in 2018.
According to Atty. Artes, factors that contributed to the success of the 2023 MMFF are the quality of the films offered and the new audience, citing that during the previous MMFF only the CDE markets of the moviegoers were targeted, but now, ABC market was included.
“We received reports that moviegoers watched multiple films while others watched films repeatedly. Hopefully, we can sustain this beyond the festival so that our film producers can offer quality movies all year round. We also encourage filmmakers to create better films for the MMFF’s 50th edition,” said Atty. Artes, during a press conference on Tuesday, with MMFF Spokesperson Noel Ferrer.
After the 49th MMFF edition, the MMFF Committee is beefing up its efforts for the maiden Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) which will screen the 10 2023 film festival entries in Los Angeles in California, USA, from January 29 to February 2.
Further, activities leading to the 50th MMFF are the student short film caravan, the short film festival, publishing a coffee-table book, and “Cine 50,” where top 50 MMFF films for the last 49 years will be screened in selected theaters for only P50.
“We are expecting to feature bigger and better films for our 50th edition as we celebrate the cinema-goers return to theaters and patronize local movies,” said Atty. Artes.
Meanwhile, Winston Emano, MIFF Consultant and Spokesperson, congratulated the successful and record-breaking MMFF 2023, clearly setting the bar very high for the film industry.
“We at the MIFF intend to continue the wonderful momentum that was built up by MMFF, with the similar goal of uplifting and giving a bigger spotlight to Filipino cinema worldwide,” said Emano.
Under MIFF, there will be a series of gatherings and dialogues of Filipino celebrities, filmmakers and scriptwriters and their American counterparts.
“There will be an exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing. We hope to bridge the gap and connect the Philippine entertainment industry with that of Hollywood and the international stage,” said Atty. Artes.
A separate awards night with a different set of judges will also take place. Results may or may not be the same with the recently concluded MMFF’s Gabi ng Parangal last December.
Meanwhile, Artes said they are now coordinating with concerned agencies and film producers after receiving reports that MMFF film entry “Rewind” has leaked, been illegally streamed, and been distributed online.
“We are coordinating with authorities so that the illegally-streamed films will be taken down immediately,” said Artes.
He also urged the public not to engage in movie piracy, which is a crime, and discredit the Filipino filmmakers’ hard work, talent, and resources put into their projects. #
