Metro Manila Film Fest marks 50th edition

Some of the films featured in MMFF 2024’s “SineSigla sa Singkwenta” campaign. Images: Facebook/Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), organizer of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), has started the special screenings of iconic MMFF movies over the past 50 years.

The screenings, costing P50, are part of the “Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta” celebration of the festival’s 50th edition.

It will feature 50 MMFF movies spanning a variety of genres—drama, comedy, action, horror, romance, adventure, historical, musical and fantasy—to cater to different audience preferences and will be shown in selected cinemas nationwide until Oct. 15.

READ: MMFF to screen 50 films for P50 to celebrate golden anniversary

According to the MMDA, some films have undergone restoration, quality improvements, and remastering “to provide an enhanced viewing experience,” while others have been left with their original imperfections “to evoke nostalgia and a sense of connection to the past.”

Filipino classics

MMDA Chair Romando Artes, concurrent MMFF chair, led on Friday the special screening at SM Manila of the 1998 historical drama film “Jose Rizal,” directed by the late Marilou Diaz-Abaya, which won 17 MMFF awards.

Aside from “Jose Rizal”, the 50 featured films include “Himala,” “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon,” “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo,” “Bulaklak ng Maynila,” “Markova,” “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo,” “Yamashita the Tiger’s Treasure,” “Captain Barbell” (1986), “Darna” (1991), “Ang Panday” (1980 and 2009), “Insiang,” “Agila ng Maynila,” “Brutal,” “Imortal” and “Karnal.”

Some 40 cinemas in Metro Manila and at least 50 in various provinces will be showing the 50 MMFF movies. Movie schedules and information on participating cinemas nationwide are posted on the MMFF official Facebook page.