Only the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and no other government agency, is in charge of creating and “crafting of the rules” of a second Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the MMDA declared in a statement released on Wednesday.
Danilo Lim
“As the name suggests, MMFF whether a summer film festival or whatever season, like its long-running successful predecessor, [which runs] during the Christmas holidays, will be under the MMDA/MMFF execom and no member of the execom—or anyone for that matter—can represent the MMFF except its recognized chair Danilo Lim,” the MMDA statement pointed out.
“Let it be clear that FDCP (Film Development Council of the Philippines) is just one of the many bodies represented in the MMFF execom that ensures the efficient discharge of its mandate. So a second one or any offshoot will be under the MMFF execom, headed by the MMDA chair,” it added.
The MMDA issued the statement in response to an article that came out in Inquirer Entertainment on July 17 (“A Second MMFF in summer mulled”).
Liza Diño
In the article, FDCP chair Liza Diño said that they would submit a proposal about a second MMFF, which could be held in summer, to MMFF executive committee member Sen. Bong Go. Diño recalled that it was Go who first brought up the idea in 2018, after he became a jury member for that year’s MMFF.
In its statement, the MMDA, which organizes the MMFF, reported that it is already acting on Go’s proposal “in support of the film industry.”
The MMFF execom met on Wednesday to discuss the rules that would govern what will eventually be the festival’s summer edition, according to the MMDA.
“A genuine consultation with stakeholders, particularly cinemas and producers will be held to finalize the rules,” it said. “The proposed second MMFF is already on the agenda of the Metro Manila Council meeting on July 25, as a successful film festival needs the support of the mayors.”