MMFF vows to work on cinema ‘discrepancy’ among film entries

MMFF Chairman Atty. Romando “Dom” Artes | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista

The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) vows to address allegations involving the unequal distribution of cinema screenings among the 10 official film entries to this year’s festival.

During the media conference ahead of the 2024 Parade of Stars on Saturday, Dec. 21, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Romando “Dom” Artes said the distribution of cinemas in Metro Manila is fair, but the discrepancy takes place outside the metropolitan area.

The MMDA has supervision over the annual MMFF, which is celebrating its 50th year this 2024.

“Ang MMFF supposedly sa Metro Manila lang ‘yan, and as far as Metro Manila is concerned, fair po ‘yan. Ang problema po natin kasi is ‘yung outside Metro Manila. Pinagbiyan po tayo na lahat ng sinehan sa Pilipinas exclusively MMFF lang ang ipalabas,” said Artes.

(The MMFF is supposed to be only in Metro Manila and as far as Metro Manila is concerned, it’s fair. Our problem is those outside Metro Manila. We have been instructed that all cinemas in the Philippines will exclusively screen MMFF.)

“As a concession, ang nirequest lang po nila, ‘yung iba po kasing mga sinehan na ilan lang ang butas o ang cinemas baka pwedeng huwag na isama sa raffle. Doon po nagkakaroon ng discrepancy kasi sila ‘yung may choice,” he further said.

(As a concession, the only thing they requested is that the other cinemas that only have a few slots or the cinemas may not be included in the raffle. That’s where there is a discrepancy because that’s where their choices come into play.)

Artes said the festival organizers will try to resolve the issue in the coming editions of the festival to avoid any more disparity.

“Siguro po sa mga susunod pag-aaralan natin ‘yan para po makipausapan po natin ‘yung cinemas na later on isinama na rin sila sa raffle para kapag nagstart at least Dec. 25 equal po ‘yung butas na maibigay sa bawat pelikula,” he stated.

(Maybe in the coming editions of the festival, we can discuss with the cinemas how we can include those from the provinces in the raffle so that when the festival starts by Dec. 25 all the slots will be equally distributed to each participating film.)

The chairman emphasized that “word of mouth” plays a role in convincing the cinemas to give more slots, as they assure that they will also try to make the allocation “gradual.”

“Talagang nagkakaroon lang po ng diperensya kunwari Island province tapos dalawa lang ang butas syempre po pinakikiusap nila ‘yon. Most of the time, lugi po ‘yan sa mga sinehan, so ito po ‘yung pagkakataon nila na makabawi para hindi magsara kaya pinapakiusap po nila na choice naman nila,” he said.

(There’s a discrepancy if it’s supposed to be on Island province and then there are only two holes; of course they’re requesting for it. Most of the time, that’s a loss for the cinemas so this is their chance to make up for it so they don’t close so they’re asking that it’s their choice.)

“Imamake sure naman namin na gradual if ever because we have to accommodate yung demands para sa malakas na palabas,” he continued.

 (We will make sure that it is gradual, if ever, because we have to accommodate the demands for the strong film.)

After Artes’ statement, the cast of “Isang Himala” greeted the press and extended their hope for their film to be given the chance, saying “they deserve more than 31 cinemas.”

Prior to the Parade of Stars, “Isang Himala” director Pepe Diokno and film critic Philbert Dy took to social media to question the allocation of screenings given to each film entry.

On X (formerly Twitter), Diokno revealed that only 31 cinemas are set to screen his movie after Dy said that “Green Bones” will have 40. The former expressed hope for a change of narrative by encouraging viewers to watch his film.