The gross sales for the showing of all the entries to last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has reached the P800-million target gross sales, an official disclosed on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Based on the MMF data, the top three entries, in alphabetical order, based on gross sales receipts are: And The Breadwinner Is, Green Bones, and The Kingdom.
MMFF overall chairman Don Artes, who also heads the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), attributed the increase in patronage of the movies to the improved standards of the annual festival in terms of quality of entries and inclusivity.
He said the revival of the Student Short Film Festival with the Film Development Council of the Philippines also played a key role in the improved ticket sales.
Artes also attributed it to the education, promotions, subsidy for block screenings and talk back sessions, even the trophy, the awards, the parade and the general conduct of activities.
"Rest assured that the MMFF will continue all efforts by encouraging our stakeholders, especially the local entertainment industry, to create quality films. The key to our success is in collaborating, helping and supporting each other instead of fueling divisiveness, coming out with unsubstantiated claims, and sweeping judgments,” said Artes.
“We did our best to give the public the best edition of the MMFF for its Golden Year. There are lessons to be learned, but we acknowledge the great effort and sacrifice given by the ones who were part of this milestone festival,” he added.