December 05, 2016

MMFF 2016 lineup announced; Indie films dominate

mmff2016entries

Image grabbed from MMFF’s Facebook page.

Metro Manila Film Festival comes back better and stronger this year, after the controversies it had faced in 2015. This year, eight official entries will be screened from December 25, 2016 to January 7, 2017.

Unlike the previous MMFF years, there won’t be any entries coming from Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda, whose movies are most-awaited by people who just want to get a good laugh with their friends and families during the Holidays. Instead, dominating the lineup for 2016 are indie films which will probably be giving the audience a breath of fresh air from the usual funny, fantastical storylines.

The change in the genre of the MMFF lineup sparked a discussion in social media from people on both sides. Fans who enjoy the kinds of films screened in the previous MMFFs said that since Christmas is time to enjoy and have fun with the family, it is only right that they get to watch something that is entertaining for them. Indie film aficionados, however, contended that it is time to encourage the people to think – to break the stereotype they have as to what an indie film is.

Here are the official entries for this year’s MMFF:

Die Beautiful

Directed by: Jun Robles Lana

Starring: Paolo Ballesteros

Kabisera

Directed by: Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido

Starring: Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos, Victor Neri, and RJ Agustin.

Saving Sally

Directed by: Avid Liongoren.

Starring: Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos

Seklusyon

Directed by: Erik Matti

Starring: Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzma, and JR Versales

Sunday Beauty Queen

Directed by: Baby Ruth Villarama

Starring: Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania, ad Leo Selomenio

Vince & Kath & James

Directed by: Ted Boborol

Starring: Julia Barreto, Joshua Garcia, and Ronnie Alonte

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever Is not Enough

Directed by: Marlon Rivera

Starring: Eugene Domingo and Christ Martinez

Oro

Directed by: Alvin Yapan

Starring: Joem Bascon