MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino officially announced today, June 20 the top 8 entries to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2015 with screening on December 25 onwards.
The eight movies selected for MMFF 2015 are “Beauty and the Bestie;”“Death and Senses;” “Haunted Mansion;” “Hermano Puli;” “Mr and Mrs Split;” “Nilalang;” “Romcom-in mo ako;” and “Walang Forever.”
“We hope to earn P1.2 billion at the box-office. The last five years had been record-breaking,” said Tolentino.
The MMFF also announced the top 9 and top 10 films, any of the eight official entries is withdraws or can’t be finished on time. The two reserves are “Conman” and “Lakambini.”
Entries are bannered by both young and veteran movie stars which include Nora Aunor, Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Jennylyn Mercado, Carla Abellana, Lovi Poe, Iza Calzado, Isabel Oli, Merryll Soriano, Bea Binene, Kaylle, Toni Gonzaga, and Nikki Gil, among others.
As confirmed on Saturday, Japanese film actress Maria Ozawa will star in one of the entries alongside Robin Padilla on horror movie, titled "Nilalang (The Entity).
Topping the list for male lead stars is John Lloyd Cruz, with Vic Sotto, Robin Padilla, Jericho Rosales, Tom Rodriguez, Coco, Martin, Vice Ganda, JM De Guzman, Aljur Abrenica, Rocco Nacino, Ricky Davao, Jeorge Estregan, John Prats, Kristoffer Martin, Herbert Bautista, and Rayver Cruz.
“There is so much potential in the scripts submitted. I am grateful to the film producers who wanted to participate in this year’s MMFF,” Tolentino said.
Here are the full details of Official entries to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival Official (in no particular order):
1. Title: Beauty and the Bestie
Production: ABS-CBN Film Production, Inc. and Viva Communications, Inc.
Director: Wenn Deramas
Lead Actors: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin
2. Title: Death and Senses
Production: Quantum Films
Director: Randolph Longjas
Lead Actor: Rayver Cruz, Jayson Gainza, John Lapus, Ian Veneracion
Lead Actress: Janine Gutierrez, Lotlot de Leon
3. Title: Haunted Mansion
Production: Regal Entertainment, Inc.
Director: Jun Lana
Lead Actor: Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce
Lead Actress: Janella Salvador
4. Title: Hermano Puli (Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Apolinario Dela Cruz)
Production: Teamwork Film Productions
Director: Gil Portes
Lead Actor: John Prats
Lead Actress: Karylle Padilla
5. Title: MR and MRS Split
Production: ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Lead Actor: Herbert Bautista
Lead Actress: Kris Aquino
6. Title: Nilalang (The Entity)
Production: Haunted Towers Pictures, Inc.
Director: Pedring Lopez
Lead Actor: Robin Padilla
Lead Actress: Maria Ozawa
7. Title: “Romcom-in Mo Ako”
Production: Octoarts Films, MZET Productions, APT Ent., Inc.
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Lead Actor: Vic Sotto
Lead Actress: Ai-Ai Delas Alas
8. Title: Walang Forever
Production: Quantum Films
Director: Dan Villegas
Lead Actor: JM De Guzman
Lead Actress: Jennylyn Mercado
A total of 21 entries, with a wide mix of genres, ranging from action, comedy, drama, romantic comedy, fantasy adventure, horror, and historical, were submitted to the MMFF for screening by the Selection Committee.
Producers were required to provide complete scripts along with the filmography of their movies.
Completing the list of 21 movies vying for MMFF slot are “I Will Take You Forever”, “Agila at ang Lawin”, “Special Action Force”, “Mabalasik”, “Kabisera”, “Zombie Sis”, “My Teacher, My Hero the Musical”, “No Boyfriend Since Birth”, “Katakot-Takot-Takot”, “Kuwatog, Jr.”, and “Tatlong Gabi, Tatlong Araw”.
In his address, Tolentino also highlighted the MMFF CinePhone competition and the New Wave category. According to him, both have received strong support from filmmakers and the public, and it can only get better as time passes.
The MMFF is an annual event held every Christmas organized primarily to promote and enhance the preservation of the Philippine Cinema. Proceeds from this go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry.
Tolentino on his last term this year as MMDA chairman said he would leave the festival “in good hands and in good condition.” However, he did not reveal the name of his successor.
The eight movies selected for MMFF 2015 are “Beauty and the Bestie;”“Death and Senses;” “Haunted Mansion;” “Hermano Puli;” “Mr and Mrs Split;” “Nilalang;” “Romcom-in mo ako;” and “Walang Forever.”
“We hope to earn P1.2 billion at the box-office. The last five years had been record-breaking,” said Tolentino.
The MMFF also announced the top 9 and top 10 films, any of the eight official entries is withdraws or can’t be finished on time. The two reserves are “Conman” and “Lakambini.”
Entries are bannered by both young and veteran movie stars which include Nora Aunor, Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Jennylyn Mercado, Carla Abellana, Lovi Poe, Iza Calzado, Isabel Oli, Merryll Soriano, Bea Binene, Kaylle, Toni Gonzaga, and Nikki Gil, among others.
As confirmed on Saturday, Japanese film actress Maria Ozawa will star in one of the entries alongside Robin Padilla on horror movie, titled "Nilalang (The Entity).
Topping the list for male lead stars is John Lloyd Cruz, with Vic Sotto, Robin Padilla, Jericho Rosales, Tom Rodriguez, Coco, Martin, Vice Ganda, JM De Guzman, Aljur Abrenica, Rocco Nacino, Ricky Davao, Jeorge Estregan, John Prats, Kristoffer Martin, Herbert Bautista, and Rayver Cruz.
“There is so much potential in the scripts submitted. I am grateful to the film producers who wanted to participate in this year’s MMFF,” Tolentino said.
Here are the full details of Official entries to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival Official (in no particular order):
1. Title: Beauty and the Bestie
Production: ABS-CBN Film Production, Inc. and Viva Communications, Inc.
Director: Wenn Deramas
Lead Actors: Vice Ganda, Coco Martin
2. Title: Death and Senses
Production: Quantum Films
Director: Randolph Longjas
Lead Actor: Rayver Cruz, Jayson Gainza, John Lapus, Ian Veneracion
Lead Actress: Janine Gutierrez, Lotlot de Leon
3. Title: Haunted Mansion
Production: Regal Entertainment, Inc.
Director: Jun Lana
Lead Actor: Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce
Lead Actress: Janella Salvador
4. Title: Hermano Puli (Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Apolinario Dela Cruz)
Production: Teamwork Film Productions
Director: Gil Portes
Lead Actor: John Prats
Lead Actress: Karylle Padilla
5. Title: MR and MRS Split
Production: ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.
Director: Antoinette Jadaone
Lead Actor: Herbert Bautista
Lead Actress: Kris Aquino
6. Title: Nilalang (The Entity)
Production: Haunted Towers Pictures, Inc.
Director: Pedring Lopez
Lead Actor: Robin Padilla
Lead Actress: Maria Ozawa
7. Title: “Romcom-in Mo Ako”
Production: Octoarts Films, MZET Productions, APT Ent., Inc.
Director: Jose Javier Reyes
Lead Actor: Vic Sotto
Lead Actress: Ai-Ai Delas Alas
8. Title: Walang Forever
Production: Quantum Films
Director: Dan Villegas
Lead Actor: JM De Guzman
Lead Actress: Jennylyn Mercado
A total of 21 entries, with a wide mix of genres, ranging from action, comedy, drama, romantic comedy, fantasy adventure, horror, and historical, were submitted to the MMFF for screening by the Selection Committee.
Producers were required to provide complete scripts along with the filmography of their movies.
Completing the list of 21 movies vying for MMFF slot are “I Will Take You Forever”, “Agila at ang Lawin”, “Special Action Force”, “Mabalasik”, “Kabisera”, “Zombie Sis”, “My Teacher, My Hero the Musical”, “No Boyfriend Since Birth”, “Katakot-Takot-Takot”, “Kuwatog, Jr.”, and “Tatlong Gabi, Tatlong Araw”.
In his address, Tolentino also highlighted the MMFF CinePhone competition and the New Wave category. According to him, both have received strong support from filmmakers and the public, and it can only get better as time passes.
The MMFF is an annual event held every Christmas organized primarily to promote and enhance the preservation of the Philippine Cinema. Proceeds from this go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry.
Tolentino on his last term this year as MMDA chairman said he would leave the festival “in good hands and in good condition.” However, he did not reveal the name of his successor.
