MMFF Extension Proves PH Cinema Is Very Much Alive in the Streaming Era
Its theatrical run has been extended for another week.
(SPOT.ph) Missed your chance to watch the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 during the holidays? Worry not. It looks like this MMFF is sticking around a bit longer with the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) granted extension until January 14. That's one more week after its initial closing date of January 7.
It seems the film festival has been nothing short of a blockbuster affair, with the 10 movie entries collectively hitting the P1 billion mark in gross receipts as of Sunday. That’s double the dough from last year’s P500 million.
MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF Chairman Don Artes said they have received a flood of requests on social media to extend the theatrical run of the MMFF 2023 films.
"This is a good sign as we gear up for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)," Artes said in a press release. The MIFF will showcase the 10 movies from January 29 to February 2 in Los Angeles, California.
Since the festival has been extended, Artes said previously issued complimentary passes will remain valid until the new closing date.
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MMFF movie entries to extend theatrical run until January 14
The success of this year's festival can be attributed to the generally higher quality of films—at least according to Artes.
Unlike in previous years where escapist movies ruled, the 2023 lineup features a diverse mix: from fantasy to historical drama, romance to irreverent comedy. This positive turnout at the box office offers a hopeful outlook for the future of the Philippine film industry, especially when one considers the challenges it faced in recent years from the rise of streaming platforms to changing viewer preferences.
“Ang tingin kong malaking factor ay magaganda ‘yung pelikula,” Artes said in an interview with One Balita PH. “Mga artista…they went out of their way para i-promote ‘yung pelikula.”
At the 2023 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal, Firefly won Best Picture and Best Screenplay, with its star Euwenn Mikaell taking home the award for Best Child Performer.
GomBurZa received the highest number of trophies, including the ones for Best Sound and Best Production Design. Other winners included When I Met You in Tokyo for Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence and Mallari for Best Score and Best Visual Effects.
Vilma Santos was awarded Best Actress for When I Met You in Tokyo, while Cedrick Juan won Best Actor for GomBurZa.
Also read: The 21st Century’s Most Notable MMFF Movies