MMDA launches 2015 MMFF Summer Student Filmfest

MANILA, Philippines - Along with the launching of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2015, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino formally opened the MMFF Summer Student Film Festival recently at the newly-constructed Metro Manila Film Festival Cinema inside the MMDA compound in Makati City.

The launch-cum-appreciation dinner was highlighted by the awarding of cash incentives to the winners and the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the National Youth Commission and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators, Inc. in support of the Summer Student Filmfest.

Tolentino, now on his last year as the concurrent head of the MMFF, said he is thankful to the movie-going public for its continuing support and patronage for the annual festival. The deadline for the submission of scripts for the MMFF 2015 will be in June.

“I am overwhelmed and I feel honored that MMFF’s earnings during my term have consistently increased annually. I am hoping that this year’s festival will see more quality movies and raise more funds for our beneficiary organizations. We will start our festival this summer with the Summer Student Filmfest and hope that our youth and students send in their entries,” Tolentino said.

Celebrities who graced the event were 2014 Best Actor Derek Ramsay, Best Actress Jennylyn Mercado, New Wave Best Supporting Actress Gloria Sevilla, New Wave Best Actor Allen Dizon, Best Supporting Actress Lotlot de Leon and Best Child Performer Ryzza Mae Dizon. Miss Manila 2014 second runner-up Angelia Ong hosted the event.

The Summer Student Filmfest features the short film and Cinephone categories, and is open to student filmmakers from local colleges and universities. Entries must have a maximum of 20 minutes running time and must have been filmed within 2014 to 2015. Deadline for submission is until April 17.

The Cinephone category, on the other hand, welcomes both high school and college contestants. Video length should not exceed three minutes and must adhere to a specific theme. Deadline for submission of entries is also on April 17, with 60 videos to be selected as finalists.

Announcement of finalists will be on April 22 for Cinephone and April 24 for Student Shorts. Screening is scheduled from April 24 to May 1, while the announcement of winners will be on May 4 at the MMFF Cinema.

For Student Shorts, the Best Picture will receive P50,000, while the special Jury prize winner gets P25,000. Six winners in the Cinephone competition will each receive P25,000. — VER PAULINO