MANILA, Philippines - (Updated November 30) The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2016 Executive Committee has announced on Friday, November 18, the full list of official entries that will compete in the annual competition of Filipino movies, which opens every Christmas Day.
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| MMFF 2016 big stars (L-R): Julia Barretto, Eugene Domingo and Jericho Rosales |
Independent films have ruled this year's 'Magic 8' as the mainstream movies of ace comedians Vice Ganda, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Vic Sotto will not be part of the MMFF.
The reformed selection process of top entries has this rules and conditions: story, audience appeal and overall impact (40%); cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40%); global appeal (10%); and Filipino sensibility (10%).
In no particular order, the following movies are expected to hit theaters this December (trailer and teasers are available):
1. "Vince & Kath & James" - Star Cinema; directed by Ted Boborol; starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Maris Racal and Ronnie Alonte
2. "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough" - Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum Films; directed by Marlon Rivera; starring Eugene Domingo and Jericho Rosales
3. "Kabisera" directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri and Rj Agustin
4. "Die Beautiful" - October Train Films and The Idea First Company; directed by Jun Robles Lana; starring Paolo Ballesteros
5. "Saving Sally" - directed by Avid Liongoren; starring Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos
6. "Seklusyon" - (Reality Entertainment) directed by Erik Matti; starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales
7. "Sunday Beauty Queen" - directed by Baby Ruth Villarama; starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio
8. "Oro" - directed by Alvin Yapan; starring Joem Bascon
“When we computed all our individual scores, there was a consensus on these eight films. There were no objections among the execom members, and neither were there other issues that came about from these choices. We were all focused on the same direction, and concerned primarily on the quality of the films,” MMFF 2016 Competition Committee member Nicanor Tiongson explained.
According to reports, Vice Ganda's upcoming movie "Super Parental Guidance," the sequel to his MMFF box office hit “Beauty and the Bestie” with Coco Martin did not make the cut.
Other films that were reportedly produced for MMFF but was not accepted as part of the final 8 entries were Ai-Ai delas Alas' "Our Mighty Yaya," Richard Yap's "Mano Po 7: Tsinoy" and Vic Sotto's "Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers."
Vice Ganda and Sotto's movies have been breaking box office records since 2012 and 2004, respectively.
“Commercial value is not really our main concern. Our first concern is quality. Even if some may say the other films will make more money, that was not a concern on our part," execom member Krip Yuson told the media.
The reformed selection process of top entries has this rules and conditions: story, audience appeal and overall impact (40%); cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40%); global appeal (10%); and Filipino sensibility (10%).
In no particular order, the following movies are expected to hit theaters this December (trailer and teasers are available):
1. "Vince & Kath & James" - Star Cinema; directed by Ted Boborol; starring Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Maris Racal and Ronnie Alonte
Vince & Kath & James#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Vince & Kath & James
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Wednesday, November 23, 2016
2. "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough" - Martinez Rivera Films and Quantum Films; directed by Marlon Rivera; starring Eugene Domingo and Jericho Rosales
Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank Part 2
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Wednesday, November 23, 2016
3. "Kabisera" directed by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido; starring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri and Rj Agustin
Kabisera#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Kabisera Film - MMFF 2016
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Friday, November 25, 2016
4. "Die Beautiful" - October Train Films and The Idea First Company; directed by Jun Robles Lana; starring Paolo Ballesteros
Our Die Beautiful trailer has just been released by the Tokyo International Film Festival today! Our World Premiere in the Main Competition section will be on Oct 27 at 5:50 PM at EX Theater Roppongi. If you're in Tokyo, or if you can go to Tokyo, please come and watch our film!
Posted by Jun Robles Lana on Thursday, October 6, 2016
5. "Saving Sally" - directed by Avid Liongoren; starring Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos
Saving Sally#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Saving Sally
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Friday, November 25, 2016
6. "Seklusyon" - (Reality Entertainment) directed by Erik Matti; starring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales
Seklusyon#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Seklusyon
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Thursday, November 24, 2016
7. "Sunday Beauty Queen" - directed by Baby Ruth Villarama; starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio
Sunday Beauty Queen#MMFF2016 Official Entry: Sunday Beauty Queen
Posted by Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official on Thursday, November 24, 2016
8. "Oro" - directed by Alvin Yapan; starring Joem Bascon
“When we computed all our individual scores, there was a consensus on these eight films. There were no objections among the execom members, and neither were there other issues that came about from these choices. We were all focused on the same direction, and concerned primarily on the quality of the films,” MMFF 2016 Competition Committee member Nicanor Tiongson explained.
According to reports, Vice Ganda's upcoming movie "Super Parental Guidance," the sequel to his MMFF box office hit “Beauty and the Bestie” with Coco Martin did not make the cut.
Other films that were reportedly produced for MMFF but was not accepted as part of the final 8 entries were Ai-Ai delas Alas' "Our Mighty Yaya," Richard Yap's "Mano Po 7: Tsinoy" and Vic Sotto's "Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers."
Vice Ganda and Sotto's movies have been breaking box office records since 2012 and 2004, respectively.
“Commercial value is not really our main concern. Our first concern is quality. Even if some may say the other films will make more money, that was not a concern on our part," execom member Krip Yuson told the media.
