“Let us not dumb down the audience,” said Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, in defense of the eight full-length film entries to this year’s 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival to be held in December.
Tiongson, who is the chairperson of the eight-member screening committee, reacted to questions by the media on the lack of the usual blockbuster fares featuring big-name actors.
Also part of the team are Allan Allanigue, Lawrence Fajardo, Krip Yuson, Joy Belmonte, Mae Paner, Crispina Belen and Ping Medina.
The following are the official lineup for the full-length category this year:
“Die Beautiful” by Jun Robles Lana; “Kabisera” by Real Florido and Arturo San Agustin; “Saving Sally” by Avid Liongoren; “Seklusyon” by Erik Matti; “Sunday Beauty Queen” by Baby Ruth Villarama; “Oro” by Alvin Yapan; “Vince Kath and James” by Ted Boborol; and “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2” by Marlon Rivera.
The short films that made it to the cut are the following: “Birds” by Christian Paolo Lat; “EJK” by Bor Ocampo; “Manila Scream” by Roque Lee and Blair Camilo; “Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad” by Jarell Serencio; “Mitatang” by Arvin Jezer Gagui; “Momo” by Avid Liongoren; “Passage of Life” by Renz Vincemark Cruz and Hannah Daryl Gayapa; and “Sitsiritsit” by Brian Spencer Reyes. CDG