The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a spectacular lineup of 10 official entries. With a record 70 film submissions this year, MMFF continues to highlight the best of Filipino cinema. Running from December 25, 2024, to January 7, 2025, the festival promises a rich mix of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at what to expect from this year’s exciting slate.
A Diverse Array of Genres
This year’s MMFF lineup includes a range of genres, from comedies to thrillers, horrors to musicals.
“And the Breadwinner Is...” is a comedy starring Vice Ganda, exploring the complexities of family life and fame. For fans of supernatural thrills, “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” offers a chilling found-footage experience, while “Espantaho” brings a supernatural mystery, starring Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino.
If you prefer dramas, “Green Bones” delves into the powerful themes of family and sacrifice with Sofia Pablo and Dennis Trillo leading the cast. For musical lovers, “Himala, Isang Musikal” reimagines the iconic Filipino classic Himala, now with a vibrant musical twist. Romantic hearts will be drawn to “Hold Me Close”, a touching love story starring Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino about two souls destined to connect in an unexpected place.
Star-Studded Performances and Visionary Directors
The 2024 MMFF features some of the country’s brightest stars, including Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Vilma Santos, and Aga Muhlach. “The Kingdom” presents a gripping family drama starring Sotto and Pascual, set in a fictional kingdom where power struggles unfold. In “Uninvited”, a tense thriller directed by Dan Villegas, Vilma Santos takes center stage as a mother seeking justice.
Meanwhile, “My Future You” explores a time-travel romance between Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. The festival also showcases fresh talents like Arjo Atayde and Julia Montes in “Topakk”, an action-packed thriller.
Celebrating Filipino Cinema’s Legacy
As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, MMFF introduces initiatives like Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta, which supports emerging filmmakers, and the Student Short Film Competition to nurture young talent. These efforts ensure the future of Filipino cinema remains vibrant and innovative.
This year’s MMFF not only honors the past but also paves the way for the next generation of filmmakers, making it a truly special edition for all film lovers.
