Manila LGU announces 8 official entries of Manila Film Fest 2024

The Manila local government formally presented the eight finalists of The Manila Film Festival (TMFF) 2024 on Monday, April 8.
Out of 69 entries, the screening committees selected eight groups of students from the University of the Philippines, Colegio De San Juan De Letran, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Adamson University, iAcademy, Bicol University, and De Lasalle College of Saint Benilde.
The finalist will receive a TMFF grant to produce short films that complement the theme "Manila in Me."
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan thanked the students who took the time and effort to participate.
Mayor Honey said the finalists underwent directing, script writing, and other workshops that will help them deliver the festival's criteria.
Mayor Honey said the festival showcases students' talent in film-making, noting that Manila is a "talent hub" allowing the youth to develop their skills as well.
From full-length movies, the festival will feature short films this year to train the students to express a subject within a limited time frame.
Lacuna-Pangan said the city government has been holding the TMFF for a long time but it was discontinued in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said TMFF made its return last year.
The mayor hopes to promote the city's tourism by featuring various tourist spots and attractions in the city through the film entries.
The city government will be giving financial incentives to the eight filmmakers to help them defray the costs.
Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto said the venues or sites in Manila that the filmmakers will use will also be free of charge.
The short films will be premiered on June 4, while the TMFF will run from June 5 to 11, 2024.
The city government officials said ticket prices will be announced soon. They said they will make sure the prices are affordable to students.