What’s in store for the MMFF?

“Sunday Beauty Queen” float

Liza Diño

While the new executive committee of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) had its second meeting on Friday, filmmakers and ordinary viewers alike continue to mull over the future of the annual event on social media.

Inquirer Entertainment asked two industry insiders—one, a former, and the other, a present member of the execom—to assess last year’s festival and discuss the prospects of this year’s edition.

Rep. Alfred Vargas was one of the members of the 2016 execom who was not reappointed to the 2017 group—along with Moira Lang, Ed Cabagnot, Eugenio Villareal and Sen. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

Vargas told the Inquirer: “As part of the previous execom, I am proud of what the 2016 MMFF has accomplished. It has brought reforms and introduced a new culture of bringing quality films to a bigger audience.”

In this light, the 2016 festival was a success.
“The quality of the films should never again be compromised,” he said.

Vargas envisions a better, stronger festival this year. “I hope that the new execom will build on [the gains of the 2016 MMFF] and, at the same time, manage to promote the 2017 festival even more, to benefit all the stakeholders, including the viewers.”

Alfred Vargas

Liza Diño, chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), who was one of the few 2016 execom members who was retained this year, told the Inquirer: “I’m very excited to continue what was started last year. The bar has been set, in terms of giving importance to artistic excellence. Of course, there is always room for improvement. Hopefully, we can address certain gaps for an improved festival.”

Diño plans to prioritize a more definite schedule and coverage for the festival.

There is a need for “a signed memorandum of agreement between the execom and the exhibitors on the fest’s expansion as a nationwide event and the extension of its run from 10 to 14 days,” she asserted.

In the meantime, the FDCP has also submitted the same proposal to President Duterte, who will hopefully sign it as an executive order, said Diño.

She is also eyeing a “clear and comprehensive” set of implementing rules “that will cover all bases, address all issues and give more power to the execom in implementing these regulations.”

Diño wants all entries to enjoy “guaranteed minimum screenings” during the fest.

Lastly, she likewise wishes to see more family-oriented films to cater to the Christmas crowd.