The 2016 Metro Manila Filmfest raises the bar

MANILA, Philippines - For all its power to draw audiences, earn millions in the box-office, and give the Philippine movie industry a strong mainstream push each year, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is criticized by the intelligentsia for being formulaic in its approach — one that tends to sellout and succumb to the lure of big stars and hackneyed, corny plots. Thus, resulting to the utter disregard for movies banked on strong scripts and innovative directing.

Such argument is what this year’s MMFF tries to address as it launched its Reelvolution campaign through a grandiose event held at SMX Convention Center last June 28. It was hosted by celebrities Iza Calzado and Epy Quizon, with a lively performance from rocker Jett Pangan meaningfully singing the Rivermaya hit Liwanag Sa Dilim.

Reelvolution is obviously a play on the word revolution which is about change. As we all know, the recent presidential election’s most popular slogan “change is coming” has already arrived in Malacañang. So does in MMFF, or at least in the mindset of the gentlemen and ladies pushing for it.

MMDA chairman lawyer Emerson Carlos stated that the festival is counting on “excellent, quality films that will make good at the box-office.”

To make such a statement reverberating, this year’s MMFF is requiring participants to submit finished films. It is a step that instantly disabled the apparent unfavorable practice of winning scripts being rewritten over and over that by the time the films hit the theaters, so much is lost or added which in essence affect the vision of providing high quality pictures.

The MMFF 2016 competition is open for full-lengths and short films. The criteria decided on “value system shift from box office consideration” give high regard for the story’s audience appeal and impact (40 percent) and technical/cinematic excellence (40 percent). The remaining percentage is shared by the film’s universality (10 percent) and Filipino sensibility (10 percent).

The Awards Night will also be staged at the end of the movie runs so as “to avoid unduly influencing audiences in their viewing choices” and which actually makes sense. In place of cash prizes for winners, those joining the full-length feature section need to pay a cash bond of P50,000 “to ensure that rules and requirements are observed and complied with by participating producers.”

As for addressing the dilemma of indies lacking promotional machinery, the MMFF Marketing and Promotions committee boasted that it has “activities and programs to extensively promote the festival’s film offerings by guesting Execom members or movie cast in high-rating TV shows, producing an omnibus trailer, among other advertising campaigns.”

“Change is to be brought to our motion pictures,” implied Execom member Boots Anson-Roa in her opening prayer at the said formal event attended by film industry experts and film reviewers.

She added, “We’re bridging the gap between mainstream movies and indies. We intend to give the public movies na de kalidad at may sensibilidad at pusong Pinoy.”

Allowed to submit as many entries as possible, filmmakers/producers are required to submit their letters of intent by July 8. Deadline for short film entry submission is on Oct. 19, ahead to that of full-length entries which can be submitted up to Oct. 31. Finalists for shorts will be announced on Oct. 27; those for full-lengths on Nov. 10.

The much-celebrated Parade of Stars happens on Dec. 23; the festival period from Christmas Day to Jan. 7 next year; and the Awards Night on Jan. 8, 2017.

The MMFF 2016 also launched its logo design and theme song contests, with submissions being welcomed beginning July 15 and to run for a month. Announcement of winners will be on Sept. 15.

There will also be a FanCon “to give the audience an opportunity to interact with the directors, producers and artists.”

(For more information on the MMFF, visit www.mmff.com.ph or follow @mmffofficial on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.)