Six Tips When Watching MMFF Entries in Cinemas

The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has already been hailed as one of the best editions, fitting for its 50th anniversary. With a lineup that offers high-quality premises without compromising star power, this year’s MMFF is expected to surpass 2923’s record-breaking year, which earned around P1 billion in box office revenue.

As Christmas Day approaches and as the

MMFF opens, here are some tips to keep in mind when heading to the big screen from December 25 to January 7, 2025.

1. Watch the underrated films first

Despite its stellar lineup, the festival still struggles to ensure all entries stay in cinemas throughout its run, as underperforming films are often pulled out early.

Positive word of mouth during the opening days is crucial to ensure these films stay in cinemas longer. Such as last year’s “Gomburza” and “Firefly” which started with a limited number of screens but gained more of them throughout the festival’s run thanks to positive reactions and the awards they won at the Gabi ng Parangal.

As of writing, “My Future You”, “Topakk”, “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”, and “Green Bones” will open with just two screens in Cebu, while “Isang Himala” and “Hold Me Close” will only be shown in one cinema each.

With an estimated 11 cinemas in Metro Cebu, entries like “And The Breadwinner Is…,” “Uninvited,” “Espantaho,” and “The Kingdom” are expected to be blockbusters, given the number of screens they secured and likely to remain in theaters throughout the entire run.

If any of these underrated entries are on your watchlist, prioritize them early to ensure you don’t miss out and allow others a chance to see them later in the festival.

2. Book tickets in advance, or queue early

With huge crowds expected, booking tickets in advance online is highly recommended to avoid the inconvenience of long queues.

Alternatively, if you prefer buying tickets in person or paying in cash, it’s best to arrive at the cinema at least two hours before your screening.

Keep in mind that cinema schedules change daily. It’s best to be updated by checking the websites of SM Cinema, Robinsons Movieworld (which includes listings at NUSTAR), and Ayala Cinema’s Sureseats for listings.

For other Metro Cebu cinemas like Gaisano Country Mall Cineplex, Island Central Mactan, and CityMall Consolacion, you can check their respective Facebook pages for updates.

3. Do a double-feature

Thanks to last year’s Barbenheimer trend, watching two movies in one day has become a popular practice among moviegoers. The MMFF offers the perfect opportunity for a double feature depending on your preference.

For suggestions, you can pair Vice Ganda’s “And The Breadwinner Is…” with Vic Sotto’s “The Kingdom” as both of the noontime show hosts return to the festival by playing dramatic roles.

If you are an A’TIN (fan of P-pop boy group SB19), you can also pair the Vice dramedy with “Green Bones” as “Mapa” and “Nyebe” are featured as the theme songs of the respective films.

Alternatively, you can pair films based on actors who are going to appear in two MMFF entries, such as Eugene Domingo (“And The Breadwinner Is…”, “Espantaho”), Iza Calzado (“Green Bones”, “The Kingdom”), Sid Lucero (“Topakk”, “The Kingdom”), Kokoy De Santos (“And The Breadwinner Is…”, “Topakk”), Ruby Ruiz (“Green Bones”, “The Kingdom”) and Cholo Barreto (“Uninvited”, “Topakk)”.

Genre pairings are another option: drama (“Green Bones”, “Isang Himala”), thrillers (“Uninvited”, “Topakk”), horror (“Espantaho”, “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital”), or romance (“My Future You”, “Hold Me Close”).

4. Bring friends and family

The communal experience of watching in cinemas is what will energize this year’s MMFF. Bring along friends or family to maximize the enjoyment. Once the movie is over, you’ll have people to discuss it with, as these entries are designed with thoughtful discussion in mind.

If you’re bringing kids, be aware of the MTRCB ratings. “Strange Frequencies” is rated R-13, while “Uninvited” and “Topakk” are R-16 (an R-18 version of the latter will be shown in non-SM cinemas). “My Future You” is the only G-rated entry, while the rest of the entries are rated PG.

5. Remember to observe theater etiquette

Minimize talking and silence your phones to avoid disturbing others. However, don’t hold back natural reactions like laughter or gasps as they add to the shared experience.

6. Share your thoughts on social media

While ticket sales determine a film’s success, sharing your thoughts on social media also plays a crucial role.

Studios will use online feedback to gauge demand, promote their films through testimonies, address criticisms for future projects, and convince cinemas that aren’t showing their movies to screen them.

This also broadens the discussion about the overall MMFF, highlighting how its decision to prioritize high-quality stories has paid off after years of criticism for previously promoting “low-quality” and “cash-grab” films.

Filipino moviegoers’ tastes have evolved, with a growing demand for better storytelling, and this year’s lineup reflects those changes. Sharing your thoughts can help make 2024 one of the most memorable years in MMFF history and potentially lead to an even bigger edition in 2025.