MMDA bares list of 8 MMFF entries

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando recently announced the eight official entries in the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December.

Fernando, the current MMFF Philippines Over-all Chairman, said the eight selected screenplays are the most star-studded film projects ever to be shown in the history of the annual film festival with Dolphy, Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Vic Sotto, Marian Rivera, Bong Revilla and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao topping the list of lead stars.

The finalists, selected from 11 entries submitted to the MMFF Secretariat, are:

• Ang Darling Kong Aswang (Octo Arts/Vic Sotto), which is about a reluctant vampire who falls for a half breed vampire;

• Ikaw Na Nga (Star Cinema/Kris Aquino), about a daughter who finds her roots and true love;

• Juan (RVQ Productions/Dolphy), about a vaudeville veteran reconciling with family and friends through a TV show;

• Mano Po 6 (Regal Entertainment/Sharon Cuneta), about a Filipino-Chinese family drama;

• Nieves (Regal Entertainment/APT Production/Marian Rivera), about the adventures of a beautiful Engkantolera;

• Panday (GMA Films, Imus Produtions/Bong Revilla), about the return of a folklore hero;

• Shake, Rattle & Roll 11 (Regal Entertainment/Ruffa Gutierrez), the horror trilogy on its 11th edition; and

• Wapakman (Solar Films/Manny Pacquiao/Nicole Scherzinger), about an ordinary father who becomes a superhero.

The three other entries reviewed by the MMFF Selection Committee were Daniel Rapido of FCJ Film Production, 2999 A Love Story of Unitel, and I Love You Goodbye of Star Cinema.

The eight chosen entries were judged based on story, creativity, writing excellence, innovativeness, thematic value and global appeal (40 percent), commercial viability (50 percent) and Filipino cultural and/or historical value (10 percent).

The 35th MMFF will be held from Dec. 25 to Jan. 10, 2010. Awards night is on Dec. 28.

Fernando is confident this year’s film festival will earn the targeted gross revenue of P500-M. In the 2008 MMFF, revenues reached P450-M.