New MMFF execom members bared

Maryo J. de los Reyes. FILE PHOTO

Tim Orbos, executive committee (execom) chair, has announced that director Maryo J. delos Reyes, singer- actor Arnell Ignacio and Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will be appointed as new members of the execom of the controversy-plagued Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

A remaining fourth slot is still unoccupied and will be filled by a representative of the independent film community, Orbos explained.

The fourth execom member will be selected by officials of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which spearheads the annual festival held in December, from a list to be sent by the members of the indie filmmaking bloc.

Delos Reyes represents the ToFarm Film Festival; Belmonte heads the Quezon City Film Development Commission; and Ignacio works as assistant vice president for Community Relations and Services of the Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

The four new members will replace documentarian Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, critic Rolando Tolentino, scriptwriter Ricky Lee and filmmaker Ed Lejano who earlier resigned due to disagreements over the festival’s rules, procedures and overall vision.

READ: Resigned MMFF 3: ‘All excellent films deserve all forms of support’

In a statement, Orbos said that these new appointments would hopefully “clear the air for constructive and productive work” for the execom.