First four entries for MMFF 2025 unveiled

Metro Manila, Philippines - The 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival will bring together some of the most bankable stars as it unveiled the first four entries for the annual movie event.

Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre are set to reunite on the big screen after a decade in the Jun Lana film, “Call Me Mother.“

The two starred together in “Beauty and the Bestie” in 2015, which was also shown in MMFF. Vice and Lustre joined last year’s festival via “And the Breadwinner Is…” and “Uninvited,” respectively.

Also returning in the MMFF is veteran actor Piolo Pascual in the crime-thriller “Manila’s Finest.” Pascual topbilled MMFF 2024’s 2nd Best Picture “The Kingdom” with Vic Sotto.

The classic horror movie, “Shake Rattle and Roll” is also back in the festival, with an ensemble cast including Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin.

Gerald Anderson, meanwhile, will headline the family drama titled “Rekonek” alongside Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi.

The entries were announced in the grand launch on Tuesday, July 8, in Makati, the host city this year.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the first four entries from the 23 submissions were selected based on artistic excellence, commercial appeal, Filipino cultural sensibility, and global appeal.

Four more entries will be announced in September.

The 51st MMFF will run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7 2026.