MMFF films to be shown at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival in the US
All ten films from the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival are headed to Hollywood!
Becky and Badette, Broken Heart’s Trip, Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story), Firefly, GomBurZa, (K)Ampon, Mallari, Penduko, Rewind, and When I Met You in Tokyo will be showing at the first Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) at the TCL Chinese Theaters on Hollywood Boulevard from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.
According to MIFF, a separate set of awards will be given during the closing night awards on Feb. 2 at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard.
The films will be judged by accomplished Filipino Americans in the film industry, namely Marie Jamora, one of the first Filipinos in the Directors Guild of America (DGA); Mari Acevedo, CEO of Birns & Sawyer; Leah Anova, a director of photography; Reggie Lee, a TV, film, and Broadway actor; David Maquiling, academic and artistic director of the School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program at the University of Southern California; and Sumalee Montano, a television and film actress.
The winner of the Best Picture award will get a chance to make a US-based feature film co-produced by Birns & Sawyer and receive up to $100,000 worth of camera rental equipment.
Other awards include Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Winners of the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay will each receive the latest version of Final Draft Software valued at $250.
The jury will also award the Special Jury Prize to the film that "deserves recognition."
Moviegoers will also be given a chance to show their support for their favorite film by voting for the Audience Award.
Actress Hilda Koronel, who is based in the US, will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award.
MMDA acting chairman and concurrent MMFF overall chairman Atty. Don Artes said that the MIFF is a catalyst for propelling Filipino films to international acclaim.
"I am confident that the success of the MMFF in Manila last December can be replicated through the support of our Filipino community in LA and the international audience. I believe this MIFF will further validate the fact that Filipino films are truly exceptional and world-class," he said.
According to MIFF, several Filipino actors will be present at MIFF for screenings, Q&A’s, the gala, and other events. They include John Arcilla, Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes, Alden Richards, Enchong Dee, Cedrick Juan, Beauty Gonzalez, Janella Salvador, Ysabel Ortega, Christian Bables, and Christopher de Leon, among others.
Those interested in purchasing Festival tickets may do so here. Gala tickets are also available here. Tickets for the screening are $25 and $35 for those who are interested in meeting and engaging in Q&A with the stars.
The MIFF was officially launched on Nov. 2, 2023. It aims "to showcase, promote and help uplift Filipino films from the Philippines in Hollywood and beyond. To bridge the gap between the two worlds and connect the Philippine entertainment history with that of Hollywood and the international stage."
