The Metro Manila Film Festival logo. Image: Facebook/Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is wishing that the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF will be a beacon of hope for the progress of Philippine cinema even as this year’s entries will only be shown online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year, festival entries will be shown online so that you can see them with your families at the safety of our homes,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech aired Friday over MMFF’s official Facebook page.
“May the festival continues to be a beacon of hope for the advancement of Philippine cinema and for the growth as a nation,” he added.
The President also recognized the MMFF as the “pioneer and foremost industry event that showcases the best Filipino filmmaking.”
“Throughout its illustrious history, the Metro Manila Film Festival has given us memorable films that convey the richness of our culture and heritage,” Duterte said.
The MMFF will run from December 25, 2020, to January 7, 2021.
Online MMFF viewing
Movie buffs who want to see this year’s entries can do so via transactional video on demand platform Upstream for P250 each.
All festivities of the MMFF like the annual Parade of Stars and the Gabi ng Parangal awards night will take place virtually due to restrictions prohibiting large gatherings amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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