MMFF pays tribute to independent films this year

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will pay tribute to independent films. Text courtesy of MMFF with additional text by Loretta G. Ramirez, photos by Mitch S. Mauricio MMDA Chair and MMFF Executive Committee Over-all Chair Atty. Francis N. Tolentino said, five (5) independent films were chosen by a Selection Committee from among the nine (9) independent films producers who submitted their entries. These films will be shown a week before the actual MMFF playdate on December 25. He said that the event intends to promote quality independent films and to encourage filmmakers with limited budgets. “This is our way of helping new filmmakers to showcase their movies and to increase public awareness on these kind of films which are not commercially shown in local theaters but are internationally acclaimed in foreign film festivals”, he added. Dubbed as a “Tribute to Indie Films-Philippines Premier”, the exhibition of five (5) independent films will serves as a prelude to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival where each of the following titles will be shown one at a time from December 16 to 20, 2010 at SM MEGAMALL: 1. Senior Year by Jerrold Tarog 2. Nasaan si Hefte by Jonnah Lim 3. Presa by Adolf Alix, Jr. 4. Slow Fade by Rommel Sales 5. Rindido by Noriel Jarito By supporting the indie films, the MMFF in effect calls the attention of the movie-going public to take notice and patronize the new breed of filmmakers whose pictures are attuned and relevant to the present times. This will also introduce the indie filmmakers to the viewers outside Metro Manila, which comprise forty-five percent (45%) of the movie market in the country. These indie films will also serve as a great prelude to the eight (8) official entries which will be shown in cinemas nationwide on December 25. This year’s entries is a fusion of comedy, action, drama, horror and fantasy which will definitely delight the moviegoers. 1. Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote (comedy/action/fantasy) 2. Ang Tanging Ina Mo Rin (Last na ‘To!) (comedy) 3. Dalaw (suspense/thriller) 4. Father Jejemon (drama/comedy) 5. Rosario (drama/film-bio) 6. RPG (animation) 7. Shake, Rattle & Roll XII (horror) 8. Super Inday and the Golden Bibe (comedy/fantasy) In line with the MMFF tradition, the MMFF “Parada ng mga Bituin” or Parade of Stars will kick off at exactly 1:00 p.m. on December 24, 2010 at the parking lot of the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia towards Quirino Grandstand via Roxas Boulevard. The yearly MMFF “Gabi ng Parangal” or Awards Night on the other hand will be held at the Meralco Theater on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Talk about this year's MMFF entries on the iGMA forums!