Moviegoers will still have more time watching their favorite entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) following the decision to extend their theatrical run until Jan. 14.
But lawyer Don Artes, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and concurrent MMFF overall chairman, said the extension will be on selected cinemas only and was a result of calls for extension by numerous movie enthusiasts and the general public.
“We, at the MMFF, are overwhelmed with the continued support of the public for the festival’s 50th edition. Due to public clamor, we have decided to extend the theatrical run of the MMFF movies to further showcase the locally produced films that are truly impressive and artistically excellent,” said Artes.
The festival is supposed to end on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and for those with complimentary passes, Artes said they will also be honored until Jan. 14.
With the one-week extension, Artes expressed optimism that the 2024 MMFF earnings will continue to increase.
Proceeds from the MMFF go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry, such as the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Organized by the MMDA, the MMFF is aimed primarily at promoting and enhancing the preservation of Philippine cinema.
Amon the official entries are "And the Brwadwinner is...", "Green Bones", "The Kingdom", "Uninvited", and "Topakk".