Metro Manila Film Festival Is Celebrating Its 50th Year—Here Are 5 Things to Expect

As the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrates its golden anniversary, there is much in store for Filipino moviegoers who are eagerly anticipating a stellar lineup of diverse and high-quality Filipino films.

Indeed, the local film scene is thriving and becoming more “outside the box.” With the 50th edition of the MMFF fast approaching, more details about the ten official entries are being released to the public!

Here are five reasons why the 50th MMFF is worth lining up for the holidays:

1. Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto’s MMFF comeback

Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto are no strangers to the MMFF scene, having starred in box-office hits in the previous years. The Unkabogable Star has headlined MMFF successes like Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (2014), The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2015), and Beauty and the Bestie (2016) among others, while the Eat Bulaga! host has led the Enteng Kabisote franchise.

This time, both actors are taking a dramatic route—something new and different from their previous films. Vice Ganda will star in her first-ever Jun Lana-directed film with And the Breadwinner is…, which the comedian has called her “best movie” to date.

“Dream ko ito. Kasi habang tumatanda ka, may gusto ka nang mas malalim na nangyayari sa sarili mo. Yung may eternal value. I want a movie, I have been praying for a movie that will have an eternal value, hindi (lang) iyong kumikita na siya ng malaking-malaki (This is my dream. Because as you grow older, you start wanting something deeper for yourself. Something with eternal value. I want a movie, I have been praying for a movie that will have eternal value, not just one that makes a lot of money),” the It’s Showtime host said at a movie conference.

The drama-comedy also stars Eugene Domingo, Joel Torre, Jhong Hilario, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, and more. This also marks Maris and Anthony’s first cinema debut, following their unexpected chemistry in the hit Netflix series Can’t Buy Me Love.

Meanwhile, Vic Sotto is exploring a different side of himself in the action-drama film The Kingdom, which depicts an alternate version of the Philippines if it had never been colonized by other countries. Directed by Michael Tuviera, the film also stars Piolo Pascual, Sid Lucero, Christine Reyes, and Sue Ramirez, among others.

“This is my first time to do a series movie from start to finish,” the 70-year-old host said in a post shared by Mquest Ventures.

He reflected: “Kung naging monarchy tayo, ito yon (If we had become a monarchy, this is it). Is it good, or maybe bad? Makikita nila sa pelikula (They will see it in the movie).”

2. Uninvited’s dark storyline and ensemble cast

One of the most anticipated MMFF entries is Dan Villegas’ Uninvited, which tells the story of a vengeful mother seeking justice for the tragic death of her daughter.

 

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The film boasts an ensemble cast, with Aga Muhlach and Vilma Santos reuniting onscreen after three decades. It also features Nadine Lustre, Mylene Dizon, Tirso Cruz III, Lotlot De Leon, RK Bagatsing, Elijah Canlas, Gabby Padilla, Ron Angeles, Ketchup Eusebio, and Gio Alvarez.

Nadine is also making a highly-anticipated return to the MMFF with this thriller-suspense film, following the success of the 2022 techno-horror film Deleter at the 48th MMFF.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting the 31-year-old actress’s return to the annual film festival, especially after winning her seventh Best Actress Award at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies for her performance in Deleter.

3. MMFF’s horror and action offerings

For moviegoers seeking something different this Christmas, the 50th MMFF is on a roll with its horror and action offerings.

Award-winning director and writer Chito S. Roño will keep viewers on edge with the supernatural-horror film Espantaho, which features Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino. The critically acclaimed director is the visionary behind classic Filipino films such as Dekada 70, Caregiver, Feng Shui, and more.

On the other hand, Kerwin Go will direct Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital, which is dubbed as the country’s first-ever meta-found footage horror film. The horror film stars Enrique Gil, Jane de Leon, and MJ Lastimosa.

Lastly,  Richard V. Somes’s Topakk will also be part of the lineup. The action-thriller film, which was first screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and premiered at the 76th Locarno Film Festival in August 2023, follows the story of an ex-special forces operative (played by Arjo Atayde) trying to save a woman’s life (played by Julia Montes) while being pursued by a corrupt police death squad.

4. Daily dose of kilig at the MMFF

The annual MMFF is also perfect for moviegoers who enjoy romance.

Following their undeniable chemistry in the romantic comedy film Expensive Candy, Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino will be reuniting in the film Hold Me Close. The upcoming romance fantasy film follows a wanderer and a girl who has a special ability to discern whether someone she touches will bring joy or harm into her life.

Additionally, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin will make their first-ever onscreen debut with My Future You. Fans are expected to swoon as they play the role of two young lovers who cross paths despite being in two different timelines.

5. From musical cheers to somber feels

The 50th MMFF wouldn’t be complete without light-hearted films and tear-jerkers!

Based on the 2018 theatrical play of the same name, Isang Himala will have moviegoers singing along with Aicelle Santos and Bituin Escalante, who are reprising their roles in the 2018 theatrical play by Ed Lacson Jr.

Meanwhile, attendees should bring tissues if they plan to watch Zig Dulay’s Green Bones, a drama film that revolves around the lives of an inmate and a prison guard. It stars Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid, Kylie Padilla and Sofia Pablo.

The MMFF is a highly-anticipated annual film festival that is committed to screening only Filipino films. It begins on December 25, 2024 and lasts until January 7, 2025.

Apart from the annual film festival, moviegoers and fans can also look forward to the Parade of Stars, which will take place on December 15, and the Gabi ng Parangal, which will occur on December 27 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

ALSO READ: 2024 MMFF Entries Revealed—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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