37th Metrofest formally launched

MANILA, Philippines - The most awaited and biggest cinema event in the Philippines, the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), was formally launched March 11. Now on its 37th year, the event was hosted by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman lawyer Francis Tolentino, the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, and the MMFF executive committee.

The formal launch coincided with the appreciation dinner for winners of the Metro Filmfest last year, held at EMAR Suites Event Hall along Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Cash prizes were handed that night.

Come Dec. 25 this year, eight MMFF official entries open in theaters in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. The all-Filipino filmfest closes first week of January 2012.

Starting last year, five indie films were shown before the Dec. 25 opening of the eight official Metro Filmfest entries. Chairman Tolentino supports indies, looking for ways to maximize their earnings and exposure.

The MMFF raises funds for the five pillars of the movie industry, its income divided among: Mowelfund (50 percent), Film Academy of the Philippines (20 percent), Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council (20 percent), Optical Media Board (five percent), and Film Development Council of the Philippines (five percent).

The 2010 Metro Filmfest grossed more than P500,000, the highest in its history. MMFF 2011 hopes to top that figure.

Former President Joseph Estrada is the “Father of MMFF,” having initiated it in the mid-’70s, when he was mayor of San Juan.

The early launch gives all concerned in the mounting of the Metro Filmfest ample time for consultation and preparation.