Fresh off the heels of a successful golden anniversary last year, The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is setting the stage for a new era of Philippine cinema with the announcement of the first four official entries for this year’s festival.
Selected through a script submission process, these entries showcase a wide range of genres, highlighting the creativity and versatility of Filipino filmmakers.
Among the initial entries is “Call Me Mother,” produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Communications, Inc. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the film is written by Daisy G. Cayanan, Daniel S. Saniana, and Lana himself, and stars Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre.
“Rekonek,” from Reality MM Studios, is directed by Jade Castro and written by Jericho Aguado, Leovic Arceta, and Kat Naval. Its ensemble cast includes Carmina Villarroel, Gloria Diaz, Alexa Miro, Gerald Anderson, and Zoren Legaspi.
“Manila’s Finest,” produced by Cignal TV, Inc., is directed by Rae Red and written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez. The film stars Piolo Pascual.
Rounding out the first batch is “Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Evil Origins” from Regal Entertainment, Inc., directed by Shugo Praico, Joey De Guzman, and Ian Loreños, with a screenplay by Alex Castor, Onay Sales, and Gina Marissa Tagasa. The film features a massive cast that includes Ivana Alawi, Fyang Smith, Loisa Andallo, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Carla Abellana, Marilyn Reynes, Janice de Belen, Francine Diaz, Kaila Estrada, Richard Gutierrez, Ryan Bang, Seth Fedelin, JM Ibarra, and Dustin Yu.
According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and MMFF Concurrent Chairman Atty. Don Artes, the positive reception of last year’s golden jubilee set a high bar for the 51st edition.
“We promise an even more exciting and engaging experience for the filmmakers and moviegoers alike for the 51st edition of the MMFF,” said Artes. “With the first batch of entries revealed, get ready for an exciting cinematic journey in December.”
This year’s call for entries yielded a total of 23 submissions, which Artes described as “overwhelming.” He emphasized the festival’s commitment to championing local cinema, stating, “The MMFF is committed to providing a platform for local filmmakers to connect with the audience. MMFF 51 is a new era for Philippine cinema.”
The selection committee, chaired by Boots Anson-Rodrigo, evaluated the entries based on artistic excellence, commercial appeal, cultural sensibility, and global appeal. These first four entries will form part of the official eight-film lineup for MMFF 2025, which will be screened in cinemas nationwide starting December 25, Christmas Day.
The remaining four entries will be chosen from completed films to be submitted by the deadline on September 15.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as part of his administration’s cultural initiatives, continues to promote and support the MMFF for its role in elevating Filipino stories and cultural identity. He and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos are actively working to boost the local film industry and its workforce under the Bagong Pilipinas program.
