Students, elderly, PWDs given 30% ticket discount at MMFF Dec. 27-Jan. 3

Official logo of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival

MANILA — For the first time in its 42-year history, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be offering a 30-percent discount to students, senior citizens and persons with disability who would watch any of the eight official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The move comes after several producers proposed to the MMFF executive committee that such an incentive be given to moviegoers as a way to entice the public to watch all eight films and “to ensure the success of MMFF 2016.”

MMDA officer in charge and general manager Tim Orbos said on Tuesday, that the proposal has been approved by the MMFF executive committee, but noted that such discount would only be given to the public starting on the third day of the MMFF, or on Dec. 27, until the last day of the festival on Jan. 3, 2017.

As this developed, Orbos, the overall chair of the MMFF executive committee, belied reports that Star Cinema sought to pull out its entry, “Vince & Kath & James” because of the 30-percent discount on ticket prices.

“Just like all the other producers, they have been supportive of the MMFF initiatives in bringing more people to the festival every year,” Orbos said.

The other entries in this year’s fest are: “Die Beautiful,” “Kabisera,” “Seklusyon,” “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2,” “Oro,” “Saving Sally” and “Sunday Beauty Queen.”

Unlike in recent editions of the MMFF, this year’s lineup of films do not include the blockbuster franchises that have been common fare in the festival timed with the holidays. MMFF selection committee chair Nicanor Tiongson earlier said that this year’s set of films would “start a renaissance of quality films in the MMFF.”

However, critics had said that the absence of crowd-drawing flicks would drive down the festival’s revenues. Last year, the MMFF earned P1.2 billion in ticket sales.

In response to such observation, Orbos appealed to the public to give this year’s lineup of films a chance, as he said these have changed the festival’s norm and encouraged producers to come up with “artistic films.”

“Every year, [the committee] tries to surpass [the previous earnings]. Hopefully we make the mark. But even without it, I think we are already successful in coming out with these artistic Filipino films,” Orbos earlier said.

The 42nd MMFF opens on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.  SFM