Global Pinoys and other movie enthusiasts abroad are in for a bright treat to start the year as the highly-acclaimed Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture winner 'Firefly' hits the cinemas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and California, USA this January.

GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs are poised to further take on the global stage as they proudly present ‘Firefly’ to international audiences in the United Arab Emirates beginning Jan. 18.

For moviegoers in Dubai, they can catch ‘Firefly’ at Reel Cinema Dubai Mall, Novo Dragon Mart, Novo Megaplex IBN, Vox Burjuman Center, Vox City Center Deira, and Star Al Ghurair Center. There will also be a showing at Star Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, Novo Manar in Rak, Star Grand Mall in Ajman, and Star Al Ain Cineplex in Al Ain.

Viewers should also anticipate a special advance screening of ‘Firefly’ on January 17, a day before its official release in UAE cinemas. This will be held at the Star Cinemas, Al Ghurair Centre at 7:30 PM.

Aside from the Middle East, 'Firefly' continues its international tour to reach moviegoers in the US, as the film joins the Metro Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.

The US screening of ‘Firefly’ will be held at TCL Chinese 6 theaters on Jan. 30 (5:55 PM) and Feb. 1 (3:00 PM), and at DGA Film Complex on Feb. 2 (12:00 PM).

In the Philippines, 'Firefly' emerged as the powerful underdog at the 49th MMFF Gabi ng Parangal held last Dec. 27, besting 9 other entries and taking home three highly-coveted major awards, including the Best Picture nod.

GMA Public Affairs Senior AVP and ‘Firefly’ creator Angeli Atienza won in the Best Screenplay category, while Sparkle child star Euwenn Mikaell took home the Best Child Actor award.

Led by esteemed director Zig Dulay, ‘Firefly’ intertwines hopes, dreams, and family, as it tells the story of Tonton and his journey to finding the mystical island of fireflies based on his mother's bedtime stories.

The film features a distinguished cast, top-billed by award-winning actress Alessandra de Rossi, who was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 49th MMFF for her role as Elay – Tonton’s mother.

Joining Alessandra are Dingdong Dantes and Epy Quizon, who were both nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Completing the stellar cast are fan-favorite actors and actresses Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, Cherry Pie Picache, Yayo Aguila, Kokoy de Santos, and Max Collins.

Aside from the UAE and Los Angeles, California, ‘Firefly’ is also expected to be made available in other parts of the US and Asia very soon.

Don’t miss out on the inspiring and heartwarming story of Tonton and the rest of the ‘Firefly’ team.

For ticket inquiries and reservations for the US screening, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-manila-international-film-festival-tickets-771883764117?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR3GF0hTkSFQBnt-ZnWsrdfVGFdz_iHh1TQnDhNw-ej2smBuQ2WMZfPc5qU