MMFF 2023 unveils expanded roster with 10 films in competition

For this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), a total of 10 movies have been announced to join the competition instead of the usual eight.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the organizers of the filmfest, expanded the roster of MMFF 2023 by including an additional six entries from the 30 submissions. This is in addition to the four previously announced in July.

These are Becky and Badette and Broken Hearts Trip, the fantasy-adventure Firefly, the period piece GomBurZa, the horror-thriller Mallari and the romantic drama When I Met You In Tokyo.

Becky and Badette, directed by Jun Robles Lana, stars Eugene Domingo and Pokwang as two office cleaners with ambitious dreams.

Christian Bables leads the cast in the LGBTQ comedy Broken Hearts Trip, alongside Jaclyn Jose, Teejay Marquez, Marvin Yap, Andoy Ranay, Iyah Mina and Petite.

The fantasy road trip film Firefly, helmed by Maria Clara at Ibarra director Zig Dulay, stars Alessandra de Rossi, Cherry Pie Picache, Yayo Aguila, Ysabel Ortega, Max Collins, Euwenn Mikaell, Epi Quizon, and features Dingdong Dantes in a special role.

Pepe Diokno’s GomBurZa showcases Enchong Dee, Cedrick Juan, and Dante Rivero as the titular martyr priests executed by garrote in 1872.

Piolo Pascual takes on the lead role in Mallari, his first-ever venture into the horror genre, portraying multiple characters, including an infamous priest, known as the only recorded Filipino serial killer. Piolo also plays a special role in GomBurZa.

When I Met You In Tokyo marks the reunion film of Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos, with the latter returning to the big screen after seven years. This is their first joint project since 2004’s Mano Po 3.

The first batch of entries was selected based on script submissions, while the second batch consisted of completed films.

The previously announced titles are Nuel Naval’s A Mother and Son’s Story starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards, Dodo Dayao’s horror movie K(ampon) starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay, Jason Paul Laxamana’s fantasy-action film Penduko with Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine Reyes, and the much-anticipated reunion of reel-to-real couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes in Rewind, directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar under Star Cinema.

Out of 30 competing movies, notable entries such as Pieta featuring Nora Aunor, In His Mother’s Eyes starring Maricel Soriano, Mikhail Red’s Nokturno starring Nadine Lustre, and Shake, Rattle and Roll EXTREME didn’t make the final cut.

In the previous year’s MMFF, Mikhail’s Deleter topbilled Nadine Lustre and dominated the MMFF 2022 with seven awards. It was followed by Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told and Nanahimik Ang Gabi, both of which claimed five awards as Best Picture runners-up.

Earlier this year, the inaugural Summer MMFF took place in April, with About Us But Not About Us starring Elijah Canlas and Romnick Sarmienta securing a remarkable 10 wins.

The 49th MMFF is slated to run from Christmas Day, Dec. 25, until early January next year.