MMFF now accepting entries to 2017 festival

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday announced the start of the submission period for the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival in December.

"After months of thorough and careful evaluation and deliberations, including dialogues with the different industry stakeholders, the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee is now starting the call for applicants for the much-anticipated annual film festival," the MMDA said in a statement.

The MMDA said the MMFF Executive Committee (EXECOM) has agreed to have two ways for applicants to submit their entries for full-length feature: script submission and finished film.

Applicants are required to submit 12 copies of the script plus a duly accomplished application form and other requirements to the MMDA Secretariat Office in Makati City, including the P30,000 application fee.

Four official entries will be selected through script submission, which will be announced on June 30.

On the other hand, applicants may submit their finished films and other requirements to the MMDA Secretariat until October 2.

Early birds will pay the application fee of P30,000 if they submit their entries on or before October 2. The fee will increase to P50,000 if the finished film is submitted from October 3 to 30.

The four slots for finished films will complete the eight official entries of the 2017 MMFF. Announcement of the selected entries will be on November 17.

Entries to the Short Film category should be submitted by September 1, with the announcement of the eight official entries slated for September 29.

The MMDA said filmmakers and producers who wish to join the 2017 MMFF must submit their letters of intent on or before May 10.

The MMDA noted that the 2017 MMFF EXECOM is "encouraging the submission of excellent films that would connect to a broader Filipino audience." — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BM, GMA News