MMFF 2023 breaks box office record with P1.069-billion gross

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 2023 has made history after earning a total of P1.069 billion in gross receipts as of January 7, 2024.

The film festival which opened on December 25 has broken the P1.061-billion gross set by the MMFF in 2018.

According to MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF concurrent overall chairman Atty. Don Artes, the ten movies in the 2023 MMFF set the new record with only 800 cinemas.

There were 1,200 theaters that showed MMFF movies in 2018.

“We received reports that moviegoers watched multiple films while others watched films repeatedly. Hopefully, we can sustain this beyond the festival so that our film producers can offer quality movies all year round," Artes said.

"We also encourage filmmakers to create better films for the MMFF’s 50th edition,” he added.

The MMFF is gearing up to present the 10 films of the 2023 MMFF for the first ever Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), which will be held in Los Angeles from January 29 to February 2.

“There will be an exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing. We hope to bridge the gap and connect the Philippine entertainment industry with that of Hollywood and the international stage,” Artes said.

“We at the MIFF intend to continue the wonderful momentum that was built up by MMFF, with the similar goal of uplifting and giving a bigger spotlight to Filipino cinema worldwide,” MIFF consultant and spokesperson Winston Emano said.

A separate judging committee and awards ceremony will also take place for the event.

The MMDA is also preparing a student short film caravan and “Cine 50”, where the top 50 films of the past 49 years of the festival will be screened in selected theaters for only P50.

 “We are expecting to feature bigger and better films for our 50th edition as we celebrate the cinema-goers return to theaters and patronize local movies,” Artes said.

During the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal on December 27, GMA Pictures film “Firefly” swept majority of the awards for the night, including Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Child Performer.

The entries for the 49th MMFF has extended its run in selected theaters and will still be available until January 14, following public demand.

"We at the MMFF would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us and watched the movie entries, particularly those who requested for the MMFF movies to extend beyond its original run," said Artes. —NB, GMA Integrated News