The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has reported a significant increase in ticket sales during the first day showing of the 10 movie entries compared to December last year.
But Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman and concurrent MMFF chairman Don Artes would not disclose the gross ticket sale, saying this strategy would prevent a trend that would encourage moviegoers to patronize certain movies at the expense of other film entries.
“The MMFF does not release or publish any kind of rankings or earnings of each film in order to prevent trends that could influence or impact moviegoers' decisions,” said Artes.
“The MMFF hopes to provide equal exposure, spotlight, and support from moviegoers around the country for each of the ten films taking part in this year's festival,” he added.
Artes then expressed gratitude to moviegoers for patronizing locally-produced films.
This is manifested, according to him, by long queues at cinemas since Dec. 25, the first day of this year's film festival.
But he said the first day of this year's film festival grossed more than the first day ticket sales in 2022.
“This proves that all 10 film entries are quality and impressive. Indeed, the MMFF 2023 is very much alive and the enthusiasm of the moviegoers has returned,” said Artes.
He also encouraged the public not to believe film earnings that are posted on social media, branding them as fake.