MMFF's online edition announces its 10 entries

THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officially announced in a Zoom presscon the 10 entries to this December's MMFF. MMDA Chairman Danny Lim and Globe VP Chris Cheng said it will not be shown in theaters but through digital streaming in cooperation with Globe Studios. You and the entire family can watch it in the comfort of your homes for P250 per movie. Even viewers abroad can access it through the G Movies app.

Here are the entries:

“Magikland” – Produced by Lore Reyes and the late Peque Gallaga with Brightlight Productions of former Cong. Albee Benitez whose Magikland theme park in Silay City inspired the movie. An action-adventure fantasy directed by Christian Acuna, it stars Miggs Cuaderno, Elijah Alejo, Joshua Eugenio and Princess Aguilar, who get into the video game called Magikland. Also in the cast are Jaclyn Jose, Rowell Santiago, Maricel Laxa, Paolo Contis, Katrina Halili, Agot Isidro, Gabby Eigenmann and Luis Alandy.

“Coming Home” – Produced by Maverick Films, written and directed by Adolfo Alix Jr., this family drama is about an OFW dad who comes home to his family with Sylvia Sanchez as the mother, plus Edgar Allan Guzman, Martin del Rosario, Shaira Diaz, Vin Abrenica, Julian Estrada and Jake Ejercito.

“The Missing” – A horror drama produced by Regal Entertainment, filmed on location in Saga, Japan, written and directed by Easy Ferrer. It stars Ritz Azul, Joseph Marco and Miles Ocampo in a story of a haunted house that echoes the now classic Japanese horror flick “The Grudge.”

“Tagpuan” – A drama from Alternative Vision Cinema, written by Ricky Lee and directed by Mac Alejandre, this love triangle shot in Hong Kong and New York, stars Alfred Vargas, Iza Calzado and Shaina Magdayao.

“Suarez, The Healing Priest” – A true story based on the life of the late Fr. Fernando Suarez who died while playing tennis last February 4 at the age of 52. Directed by Joven Tan, it stars John Arcilla in the title role, supported by Dante Rivero.

“Isa Pang Bahaghari” – Produced by Heaven’s Best Entertainment and directed by Joel Lamangan, this is another family drama about an OFW father who returns home to his hostile family. It stars Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador as the estranged couple, Michael de Mesa as their gay best friend, with Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco and Sanya Lopez as their three kids.

“Mang Kepweng, Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim” – Produced by Cineko Productions and directed by Topel Lee, this action-horror-comedy stars Vhong Navarro in the title role, supported by Ritz Azul, Benjie Paras, Joross Gamboa, Ryan Bang and Ion Perez.

“Pakboys, Takusa” – A sex-comedy produced by Viva Productions, directed by Al Tantay. It stars Janno Gibbs, Andrew E, Dennis Padilla and Jerald Napoles as four married men who cheat on their wives. They are supported by Natalie Hart, Angelu de Leon, Maui Taylor, Ana Roces, Marissa Sanchez and Leo Martinez.

“The Boy Foretold by the Stars” – Originally accepted as an entry in the CineFilipino Filmfest which didn’t push through because of the pandemic, this is the first BL (Boys Love) movie after the many BL series that came out. Produced by Derrick Cabrido of Clever Minds Inc. and directed by Dolly Dulu, it stars Adrian Lindayag (of “Oh My God”) as a gay high school boy secretly in love with his high school friend, Keann Johnson.

“Fangirl” – Produced by Dan Villegas, written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone, featuring newcomer Charlie Dizon in the role of a girl who’s so in love with her idol, an actor played by Paulo Avelino, that she’d do everything to meet him in person. This has been shown and has gained raves in international film festivals in Tokyo and Estonia.

Let’s face it, movies are best enjoyed in a dark cinema with your friends as a bonding activity. But with the pandemic still very much around us, the MMFF Execom is also looking after audience safety. Let us hope that the public will find the streaming platform to their liking.