Find Out What New Rules The Metro-Manila Filmfest Executive Committee Has Come Up With For This Coming December Film Festival

THE METRO MANILA FILMFEST 2016 was launched at SMX MOA last Tuesday night, with Chuck Gomez as the new PR. Called Reelvolution, it was hosted by Iza Calzado and Epy Quizon. The Execom is led by MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos and the members are Boots Anson Roa, Wilson Tieng of Solar Films, Sen. Sonny Angara, Rep. Alfred Vargas, MTRCB Chairman Toto Villareal, writer Moira Lang, UP Film Institute’s Nonoy Lauzon and academician Ed Cabagnot.

The criteria for possible entries: 40% % story value, audience appeal and overall impact, 40% cinematic attributes and technical excellence, 10% global appeal and 10% Filipino sensibility. Both mainstream and indie films are welcome to join.

The members of the selection committee who’ll choose the 8 film entries that will be shown in December include actors Sid Lucero and Mae Paner, director Lawrence Fajardo, DZBB station manager Alan Allanigue, lawyer Trixie Angeles, entertainment columnist Crispina Belen and writer Krip Yuson.

There will be a different set of jurors who’ll choose the winners for the various categories in the filmfest awards night that will now be held on January 8, after the festival’s official run from December 25 to January 7. Those who hope that winning awards will help them attract more viewers at the box office can no longer bank on them, but the MMFF will help promote all the final entries. There will only one best picture award, no more 2nd and 3rd best pictures. There also will be no more award for best child performer but there will be a People’s Choice Award.

There will be a contest for new MMFF logo or emblem and theme song. Entries for logo and theme song will be accepted starting July 15, deadline on August 15. Winners will be announced on September 15. There will be interactive galleries to attract old and new moviegoers to relive the country’s best films through the years.Even the annual parade of stars will be bigger and also be interactive for the fans

Here are the important dates to remember. July 8. 2016 - deadline for the submission of a Letter of Intent to join the festival. October 31, 2016 - deadline for the submission of completed full-length film entries. November 10, 2016 -- announcement of the selected film feature entries. December 25 - Opening of the film festival, to run until January 7, 2017. January 8, 2017 - the filmfest awards Night.