Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Official Entries Has Been Announced

 

MMFF completes its Ten Official entries with the selection of the Six finished films.

The Official Ten entries to the MMFF 2023 are:

Based on Script Submissions

 1. Family of Two

 Starring Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, Miles Ocampo
Directed by Nuel Naval
Produced by Cineko Productions Inc.

 

2. Rewind

Starring Dingdong Dantes & Marian Rivera
Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar
Produced by Star Cinema and AgostoDos Pictures and APT Entertainment

 

3. (K)ampon

Starring Derek Ramsay, Beauty Gonzales
Directed by King Palisoc
Produced by Quantum Films

 

4. Penduko

Starring Matteo Guidicelli, Kylie Verzosa
Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana
Produced by Viva Films, Sari Sari Network, Studio Viva

 

 

Based on Finished Film Formats

 

5. Mallari

 Starring Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador
Directed by Derick Cabrido
Produced by Mentorque Productions

 

Mallari is partly fictional, partly true-to-life account inspired by the true story of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, a parish priest in the 1800's who killed 57 people before being caught, thereby becoming the first and only recorded Filipino serial killer ever.
 

The film expands the story by translating the Mallari experience into three-timeline narrative, intertwining: Fr. Severino Mallari in the 1800's;

Johnrey Mallari, a grand-nephew in the 1040's; and most importantly. present-day Dr. Jonathan Mallari De Dios, a doctor and a great-great-nephew. 

6. Becky and Badette

Starring Eugene Domingo, Pokwang
Directed by Jun Robles Lana
Produced by The Ideafirst Company and Octoberian Films

 

The film is a heartwarming comedy about friendship and second chances.

It charts about the struggles of Becky and Badette, two high school best friends, who in their mid-aos, are still struggling to make ends meet but they never lose hope in their dream of one day becoming famous celebrities.

In their high school reunion, they are reluctant to tell people that they have amounted to nothing and fabricate the most incredible lies about themselves, becoming the target of envious people, particularly a former schoolmate who is mean and refuses to see them succeed. Adding to the conflict is the reemergence of the incredibly charming and smooth-talking Pepe, who broke both their hearts in high school.

Soon Becky and Badette find themselves entangled in a love triangle, competing against each other for October 19 atRepe's love and attention. Are they risking their friendship for a man that could burn them both?

 

 

7. When I Met You In Tokyo

 Starring Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leo
with Darren Espanto and Cassy Legaspi,
Directed by Rado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher De Leon
Produced by JG Productions

This romance film tells a story about unconditional love, sacrifices, sufferings, age, and aging. It is about a "dedicated and devotedly in love with each other" Filipino elderly couple and their courageous end of life journeys. Joey is an OFW permanent resident of Japan who is wounded and traumatized by his ex wife's betrayal. He promised himself never to love again but things changed when he met Azon, who is also an OFW and a permanent resident in Japan who will make him believe to give love another shot, only to discover after only a few years of a happy blissful marriage that Azon is dealing with an age-related debilitating disease that will surely break Joey's heart once more.

 

 

8. GomBurza

 

Starring Dante Rivero, Cedrick Juan, Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero with Piolo Pascual
Directed by Pepe Diokno
Produced by Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.

 

This historical film tells the story of three martyr priests - Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora - who were executed by Spain in 1872 falsely accused of sedition and treason. A heroic drama October 17 at laden with intrigue, battle scenes and love of country. Gomburza is an epic tribute to the people behind the birth of our Filipino consciousness.

9. Firefly

 Starring Alessandra De Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell,
With Miguel Tanfelix, Cherry Pie Picache,Kokoy De Santos
Directed by Zig Dulay

Produced by GMA Pictures

Firefly is the story of 1-year old Tonton and his single mother Elay who live a humble but happy life together. When Elay finds out she is terminally ill, she races against time to leave behind as many stories as she can. One story catches Tonton's imagination: the tale of the firefly who defeated theat island beast with its light. With the passing of his mother, Tonton sets on journey to find the mythical island of the fireflies.

A fairytale adventure for all ages, Firefly is a coming of age drama that explores a child's experience of grief and his eventual discovery that love makes your brave.

 

10. Broken Heart’s Trip

Starring Christian Bables
Directed by Lemuel Lorca
Produced by Smart Films Productions, OPC in cooperation with BMC

 

This is a comedy drama film about five different LGBTQ individuals who will finally have the time of their lives after countless heartaches, frustrations and seemingly endless griefs. A corporate agency sponsors a reality competition that features a series of trips to the most beautiful tourist spots in the Philippines, dubbed "The Broken Hearts Trip" - where they have to remain single at the end of their journey. The last gay man or transwoman standing will win 1 million pesos. But each step and each activity may not exactly go in their favor - will it be money or love? is the one perplexing question that one must answer as experiences grow more enriching and exciting.

 

 

Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 will run from Dec. 25, 2023, to Jan. 7, 2024. The Parade of Stars will kick off in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela on Dec. 16 or 17, while the Gabi ng Parangal (awards night) will happen on Dec. 27