EDITORS DESK

Atty. Don Artes, acting chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the overall chairman of Metro Manila Film Festival said the 2023 film festival is on track to becoming one of the most successful editions. It has recently crossed the ₱1 billion mark, a significant milestone for the festival.
Artes admitted that he was surprised at the festival’s turnout in terms of gross receipts. “We were expecting to earn around ₱700 million. But as of Jan. 7, the festival has earned ₱1.069 billion.” The festival has been extended until Jan. 14. The organizers project that it will generate ₱1.2 billion by the end of the event.

There were 10 official entries for the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), but the festival’s executive committee kept the rankings of the films private. Unconfirmed reports suggest that “Rewind,” which stars the real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, is the festival’s top-grossing film. The horror-flick “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual, is said to have followed in second place.

Factors that contributed to the success of the 2023 MMFF were the quality of the films offered and the new audience, citing that during the previous MMFF, only the CDE markets of the moviegoers were targeted. Still, the ABC market was included, he said.

Another factor would be the stars’ active participation in promoting the movies. It’s worth noting that the enthusiastic promotion of movie stars can play a significant role in the success of their movies.

By creating a buzz around the actors and their performances, audiences are more likely to be drawn in and captivated by the film. This can ultimately lead to higher box office numbers and greater critical acclaim.

So, movie producers need to invest in promoting their stars and their work to ensure that it gets the attention it deserves. “They made an extra effort to promote their movie and the entire Metro Manila Film Festival.”

The MMFF is gearing up for its 50th year, which will be hosted by the City of Manila. Artes challenged film producers who want to join the MMFF in December.

“For those who want to join, they have already seen the quality of the films we offer. So we’re challenging the film producers that this is our benchmark for films that can enter the 50th MMFF. So the movie must be equally good, if not better, in order to qualify for the film festival. If their film is low-class, they probably won't get in,” he said.

In preparation for the 50th MMFF, Artes announced that there will be no Summer MMFF this year as they will focus on the main festival. He promised fans that the 50th MMFF would have a bigger and better lineup.

Despite the success of the MMFF, the reality of movie piracy continues to be a major and persistent threat, said Artes.

As a society, we must take action to combat this issue and protect the hard work of talented filmmakers who pour their heart and soul into their craft.
Let's stand together in solidarity to safeguard the integrity of the film industry. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!

(Robert R. Requintina is the Entertainment Editor of Manila Bulletin)