MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) revealed the official eight competing entries for its 2021 edition on Friday, November 12. With the ease of restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, the announcement also marks the festival's return to physical theaters.
“It has been our desire for our theater partners to bounce back to business once again, and we are helping them build the confidence in the movie audiences and encourage them to go back to watching films where they should be enjoyed to the fullest – the cinemas. Thus, this year’s MMFF will be back in the cinemas where they initially and rightfully belong,” MMDA and MMFF Chair Benhur Abalos, Jr. said.
There is a wide range of genres represented in the selection of the MMFF executive committee, including drama, action, comedy, horror, and romance.
The 47th Metro Manila Film Festival will begin on Christmas Day and will run until January 7, 2022.
Out of 19 total submissions, the following is the complete list of the 8 official entries:
1. A HARD DAY
Directed by Law Fajardo, it stars Dingdong Dantes and John Arcilla in an action film.
Produced by Viva Communications, "A Hard Day" is a Filipino adaptation of South Korean box-office hit of the same title.
2. BIG NIGHT!
A dark comedy film starring Christian Bables and John Arcilla. It is directed by Jun Robles Lana under Cignal Entertainment, The Ideafirst Company, Octobertrain Films, and Quantum Films. It is set to make its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia from November 12 to 28, 2021.
3. HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW
This is one of the rom-com entries this year. Starring GMA stars Rita Daniela and Ken Chan, it is directed by Louie Ignacio under Heaven’s Best Entertainment. It tells the story of a sexy dancer who falls in love with her best friend, who is about to enter priesthood.
4. KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON
The drama movie is set during the Typhoon Yolanda and stars Charo Santos-Concio, Daniel Padilla, and Rans Rifle. It is directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad.
It is of the most notable entries as it has been critically acclaimed internationally, bagging a special award at the Locarno Film Festival and the best director trophy for Carlo Francisco Manatad at the London East Asia Film Festival.
5. HUWAG KANG LALABAS
This is this year's horror entry starring Kim Chiu, Jameson Blake, Beauty Gonzalez, and Aiko Melendez. It is directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. and produced by Obra Cinema.
6. LOVE AT FIRST STREAM
A romantic comedy film by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina. This is the debut movie of the new loveteams Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, and Anthony Jennings.
It is produced by Star Cinema and Kumu. It tells the stories of a streamer, a student, a breadwinner, and a heartthrob as they explore love and friendships made online.
7. NELIA
Directed by Lester Dimaranan, it stars Winwyn Marquez and Raymond Bagatsing in a suspense drama film. It is produced by A and Q Production Films, Inc. In the movie, a nurse finds herself uncovering the mysterious cases happening in the hospital where she works.
8. THE EXORSIS
Directed by Fifth Solomon, it stars Gonzaga sisters, Alex and Toni. Under Toni's production company, TINCAN, it is a horror comedy meant to give the viewers a good laugh.
Which film will you watch?
— Sally, The Summit Express
“It has been our desire for our theater partners to bounce back to business once again, and we are helping them build the confidence in the movie audiences and encourage them to go back to watching films where they should be enjoyed to the fullest – the cinemas. Thus, this year’s MMFF will be back in the cinemas where they initially and rightfully belong,” MMDA and MMFF Chair Benhur Abalos, Jr. said.
There is a wide range of genres represented in the selection of the MMFF executive committee, including drama, action, comedy, horror, and romance.
The 47th Metro Manila Film Festival will begin on Christmas Day and will run until January 7, 2022.
Out of 19 total submissions, the following is the complete list of the 8 official entries:
1. A HARD DAY
Directed by Law Fajardo, it stars Dingdong Dantes and John Arcilla in an action film.
Produced by Viva Communications, "A Hard Day" is a Filipino adaptation of South Korean box-office hit of the same title.
2. BIG NIGHT!
A dark comedy film starring Christian Bables and John Arcilla. It is directed by Jun Robles Lana under Cignal Entertainment, The Ideafirst Company, Octobertrain Films, and Quantum Films. It is set to make its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia from November 12 to 28, 2021.
3. HULING ULAN SA TAG-ARAW
This is one of the rom-com entries this year. Starring GMA stars Rita Daniela and Ken Chan, it is directed by Louie Ignacio under Heaven’s Best Entertainment. It tells the story of a sexy dancer who falls in love with her best friend, who is about to enter priesthood.
4. KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON
The drama movie is set during the Typhoon Yolanda and stars Charo Santos-Concio, Daniel Padilla, and Rans Rifle. It is directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad.
It is of the most notable entries as it has been critically acclaimed internationally, bagging a special award at the Locarno Film Festival and the best director trophy for Carlo Francisco Manatad at the London East Asia Film Festival.
5. HUWAG KANG LALABAS
This is this year's horror entry starring Kim Chiu, Jameson Blake, Beauty Gonzalez, and Aiko Melendez. It is directed by Adolf Alix, Jr. and produced by Obra Cinema.
6. LOVE AT FIRST STREAM
A romantic comedy film by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina. This is the debut movie of the new loveteams Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, and Anthony Jennings.
It is produced by Star Cinema and Kumu. It tells the stories of a streamer, a student, a breadwinner, and a heartthrob as they explore love and friendships made online.
7. NELIA
Directed by Lester Dimaranan, it stars Winwyn Marquez and Raymond Bagatsing in a suspense drama film. It is produced by A and Q Production Films, Inc. In the movie, a nurse finds herself uncovering the mysterious cases happening in the hospital where she works.
Parating na si NELIA this DEC 25 🩸 Nelia is now an official entry for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official 2021!!!🙏 maraming maraming salamat po! • • Directed by Lester Dimaranan A & Q Productions
Posted by Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez - Page on Friday, November 12, 2021
8. THE EXORSIS
Directed by Fifth Solomon, it stars Gonzaga sisters, Alex and Toni. Under Toni's production company, TINCAN, it is a horror comedy meant to give the viewers a good laugh.
Which film will you watch?
— Sally, The Summit Express
