Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2) — Launching the Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) international edition at Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on Thursday is the first step towards Filipino film nominations for global awards, the festival’s chair said.
MMFF Overall Chairman Don Artes said the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) is “the first step towards recognition of Philippine movies and talent.”
“We believe in the talent of our filmmakers and we know that our local film industry just needs exposure and more opportunities to showcase them,” he said in a statement.
“This is the primary reason why we are expanding MMFF to show these films not just in local cinemas but also to the international audience,” he added.
Artes hopes that through MIFF, the country can get a film nomination for the Academy Awards AKA the Oscars.
At the launch, three entries from the summer edition of the MMFF are set to be screened: “About Us But Not About Us,” “Here Comes the Groom,” and “Love You Long Time.”
Directors and actors from the chosen films expressed gratitude for the platform to tell Filipino stories through movies.
“It is in the way we tell our stories that we educate people of who we are and that in itself is what makes us unique and worthy of seeing,” Summer MMFF Best Actor Romnick Sarmenta, who was also present at the launch, said.
The chief also said launching the international edition would encourage Filipinos living abroad to be part of “the Christmas tradition.”
After the launch, the first MIFF will feature the 10 films from the 49th MMFF from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 next year.
