MMFF 2020 lineup overhauled after some finalists’ failure to meet deadline

“Fan Girl” —Project 8, Epic Media and Black Sheep

Expect major changes in the previously announced lineup of the Christmas edition of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) as a result of movement restrictions and health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These adjustments were announced on Tuesday in a virtual media gathering organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), host of the annual film festival.

Producers of the comedy flick “Praybeyt Benjamin 3,” starring Vice Ganda, have “begged off” from participating in the festival because they failed to finish shooting the film due to their lead star’s busy schedule, MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer announced on Tuesday.

Vice Ganda is currently in a lock-in set for the noontime game show “It’s Showtime,” where he is a regular host. The film is a coproduction between Viva Entertainment and ABS-CBN Films.

“Magikland” —Brightlight Leisure Productions Inc. and Gallaga-Reyes

“Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim” —Viva Entertainment and Cineko Productions

“The Missing” —Regal Entertainment

Meanwhile, Alex Gonzaga, who stars in the comedy film “The Exorcism of My Siszums” alongside her sister Toni, has contracted COVID-19 and failed to work on the project in time for the submission date set by the MMFF executive committee. The film was supposed to be directed by Fifth Solomon and produced by Toni’s TinCan Productions.

The Chito Rono horror-thriller “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” with Joshua Garcia in the lead, likewise failed to beat the deadline set by the execom and is still in postproduction work. It is a coproduction of Regal Films and ABS-CBN Films.

Included on the list of newly added entries is Antoinette Jadaone’s “Fan Girl,” starring Paulo Avelino and newcomer Charlie Dizon. It premiered at the 2020 Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo. Lead star Paulo said he liked the story because “it is very Filipino. It’s something that most of us have been through. Almost all of us have idolized someone, have gone crazy over someone.”

Also part of the lineup is Dolly Dulu’s romantic comedy “The Boy Foretold by the Stars.” The film, featuring Adrian Lindayag and Keean Johnson, is the first Boys’ Love (BL) story to be included in the MMFF. Actress Jodi Sta. Maria is among its producers.

“Isa Pang Bahaghari” —Heaven’s Best Entertainment

“Coming Home” —Maverick Films

“Tagpuan” —Alternative Vision Cinema

Viva Entertainment, meanwhile, has fielded a comedy film titled “Pakboys: Takusa.” It features 1990s comedians Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla and Andrew E, as well as Jerald Napoles, with Al Tantay at the helm.

Another comedy flick in the lineup is “Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim,” which is a sequel to the fantasy horror-comedy released in 2017 that also starred Vhong Navarro. Topel Lee took over the reins from GB Sampedro.

John Arcilla top-bills the biopic “Suarez, the Healing Priest,” which is directed by Joven Tan. It is based on the life of the late Filipino healer, Fr. Fernando Suarez.

Also part of the 10 entries is Christian Acuña’s fantasy-adventure film “Magikland,” featuring Miggs Cuaderno, Joshua Eugenio, Princess Aguilar and Elijah Alejo, among others. It is the last project that acclaimed filmmaker Peque Gallaga produced before he passed away in May 2020.

“The Boy Foretold by the Stars” —Brainstormers Lab, Clever Minds Inc. The Dolly Collection

“Suarez, the Healing Priest” —Viva Films and Saranggola Media Productions

“Pakboys: Takusa”—Viva Films

Joel Lamangan’s dramatic piece “Isa Pang Bahaghari,” featuring Nora Aunor, Phillip Salvador and Michael de Mesa, was supposed to be a part of the canceled summer edition of the MMFF in April but is now included in MMFF’s Christmas edition. This was also the case with Mac Alejandre’s love story “Tagpuan,” starring Alfred Vargas, Iza Calzado and Shaina Magdayao.

The same can be said about Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Coming Home,” starring Sylvia Sanchez and Jinggoy Estrada; as well as Easy Ferrer’s horror flick “The Missing,” featuring Ritz Azul, Joseph Marco and Miles Ocampo.

“They are not replacements to any of the films that were taken out of the lineup. They also went through proper deliberations,” declared Ferrer.

The festival, which will run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, is going online this year. The MMDA has partnered with Globe Telecoms and Upstream for its worldwide streaming.