2015 Metro Manila Film Festival Explained

2015 Metro Manila Film Festival
Awards:Gabi ng Parangal
Number:8
Date: to
Chronology:MMFF
Followed By:42nd ed.

The 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 41st edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA, a government agency. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (except IMAX, 4D, and large format 3D theaters).[1]

The festival began on December 23, 2015, kicking off with the traditional Parada ng mga Artista (Parade of the Stars) float parade from Mall of Asia in Pasay to Quirino Grandstand in Manila.[2] [3] Showings are from December 25 until January 7.

The Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night) was held on December 27 at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Center, Quezon City, hosted by KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez.[4] Both the Parade of Stars and the Awards Night are aired via delayed telecast on TV5 thru a co-production with Viva Entertainment.

Metro Manila Film Festival reported that the total earnings of the festival was 1 billion pesos (Dec. 25 – Jan 6 only). It did not report the earnings for each film.

This was the only festival under MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos.

Entries

Regular entries

The official list of entries was announced on June 20, 2015. From the 21 submissions, 8 were chosen for the festival.[5] [6] [7]

width=20%Title !width=50%Starring!width=15%Studio!width=15%Director!Genre
All You Need Is Pag-ibigKris Aquino, Derek Ramsay, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Ronaldo Valdez, Pokwang, Nova Villa, Bimby Aquino-Yap, Julia Concio, Talia Concio Romantic comedy
Beauty and the BestieComedy, Action
Buy Now, Die LaterQuantum Films, MJM Production, Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Films Randolph Longjas Horror, Comedy
Haunted MansionHorror, Suspense, Thriller
Honor Thy FatherAction, Drama
My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMoreOctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA Films, MEDA Productions Romantic comedy
NilalangPedring Lopez Horror, Action, Thriller, Crime
  1. Walang Forever
Quantum Films, MJM Production, Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Films Romantic comedy

New Wave entries

Feature films

The New Wave entries were screened on selected cinemas from December 17 to 24, 2015.[8]

width=20%Title !width=50%Starring!width=15%Studio!width=15%Director!Genre
ARI: My Life with a KingRonwaldo Martin, Francisco Guinto Holy Angel University, Center for Kapampangan StudiesCarlo Enciso CatuDrama
MandirigmaStarquest Alliance Productions, Blank Pages Productions Arlyn Dela Cruz Drama
TandemJM de Guzman, Nico Antonio Quantum Films, Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Films King PalisocDrama, Thriller
TotoToto SCM Production, Central Digital Lab John Paul Su Comedy, Drama
Turo-TuroHandheld Entertainment Production Ray An Dulay Drama

Short films

Animated films

Awards

2015 Metro Manila Film Festival
Gabi ng Parangal
Number:41
Award:Metro Manila Film Festival
Site:Kia Theatre, Quezon City
Best Picture:
  1. Walang Forever
Most Wins:
  1. Walang Forever
(6)
Network:TV5
Last:40th
Next:42nd

Major awards

Winners are listed first, highlighted with boldface and indicated with a double dagger . Nominees are also listed if applicable.[9]

Best PictureBest Director
Best ActorBest Actress
Best Supporting ActorBest Supporting Actress
Best Child PerformerBest Cinematography
Best ScreenplayBest Original Story
Best Production DesignBest Editing
Best Visual EffectsBest Make-up Artist
Best Original Theme Song
Best Sound EngineeringGatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
Best FloatFernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence

Other awards

New Wave category

The following are the winners of the New Wave category:

Multiple awards

Mainstream

AwardsFilm
6
  1. Walang Forever
5Nilalang
Honor Thy Father
3Buy Now, Die Later
My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore
2All You Need is Pag-ibig

New Wave

AwardsFilm
4ARI: My Life with a King
Toto

Controversies

Ticket-swapping incidents

Alleged ticket-swapping incidents occurred in some branches of SM Cinema during the opening day of the festival. Some moviegoers claimed that they bought tickets for My Bebe Love but instead, were given tickets for Beauty and the Bestie. SM Cinema confirmed through its Twitter account that this incident occurred in SM City Bacoor. According to SM Cinema, the incident was "a mistake due to high volume of tickets purchased". They also assured the public that this transaction will be counted fairly for the gross sales of My Bebe Love. These tweets were later deleted for unknown reasons.[10] [11]

On the other hand, the Metro Manila Film Festival committee released a contrary statement regarding this issue. It is stated that they "strongly denies the existence of such" incident and they called the issue "baseless".[12] [13]

The House committee on Metro Manila Development, chaired by Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo, started the probe on the disqualification case of Honor Thy Father and the ticket-swapping incidents in January 2016.[14]

Honor Thy Father disqualification

On December 26, Honor Thy Father, was disqualified by the Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee from the Best Picture category after the film failed to disclose its participation as the opening film of the 2015 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. On the contrary, Dondon Monteverde, the film's producer, revealed that they did disclose this information beforehand. He attested that its premiere at the Cinema One festival didn't generate revenue which complies by the rules. He also questioned the timing of this decision, one day before the awards ceremony, and he demanded an investigation.[15] [16] [17]

In an interview dated on November 2, 2015, MMFF Executive Committee member Dominic Du revealed to Philippine Entertainment Portal that the film did comply with the rules as the Cinema One premiere wasn't a commercial screening.[18]

On December 28, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, who is part of the cast of Honor Thy Father, filed a resolution that directs the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry regarding the disqualification of Honor Thy Father.[19] [20] The committee on Metro Manila Development, chaired by Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo, started the probe on the disqualification case of Honor Thy Father and the ticket-swapping incidents in January 2016.

Pullout of Nilalang and Honor Thy Father from some cinemas

Nilalang director Pedring Lopez and co-producer Wesley Villarica expressed dismay over the pullout of their film and co-entrant film, Honor thy Father from some cinemas in favor of My Bebe Love and Beauty and the Bestie. Villarica noted that his film, was shown in 20 cinemas in Metro Manila and 7 theaters outside the metropolis in the opening day on December 25, but by next day less than 20 cinemas are screening his film. Honor Thy Father writer Michiko Yamamoto said that her film was pulled out from ten theaters the day after the opening day of the festival.[21]

Conflict of interest against Dominic Du

During the House probe on the MMFF irregularities, it was revealed that Dominic Du, a member of MMFF Executive Committee have a conflict of interest with the Best Picture winner, #Walang Forever and 2nd Best Picture winner, Buy Now, Die Later. Dominic Du owns the company, Axinite Digicinema, that helped promote the said two films. He also serves as a legal counsel of Joji Alonso, the producer of both films.[22]

Box Office gross

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority was criticized for not releasing official earnings of each film. This led to some film studios releasing their own earnings.

EntryGross Ticket Sales
December 27[23] January 7[24]
Beauty and the Bestiedata-sort-value="2"₱ 131,000,000data-sort-value="1" style="background:#BFFFC0;"₱ 428,000,000*
My Bebe Lovedata-sort-value="1" style="background:#BFFFC0;"₱ 159,000,000*data-sort-value="2"
  1. Walang Forever
data-sort-value="3"₱ 36,000,000data-sort-value="3"
Haunted Mansiondata-sort-value="4"₱ 29,000,000data-sort-value="4"
₱ 1,020,000,000

Notes and References

  1. News: The Force awakens MMFF 2015. Philippine Star. Cruz. Edgar O.. November 8, 2015. December 20, 2015.
  2. News: MMDA: Road closures along Roxas Blvd for MMFF Parade on Wednesday. Manila Bulletin. Torres. Rap. December 20, 2015. December 20, 2015.
  3. News: AlDub dominates MMFF Parade of Stars . . December 23, 2015 . December 23, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151224220242/http://www.mb.com.ph/aldub-dominates-mmff-parade-of-stars/ . December 24, 2015 .
  4. News: FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2015 awards night. Rappler. December 27, 2015. December 27, 2015.
  5. Web site: Official Entries to MMFF 2015 to be Announced Tomorrow. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. December 17, 2015. June 19, 2015.
  6. News: 8 entries revealed: MMFF 2015 movie lineup. December 17, 2015. Rappler. June 20, 2015.
  7. News: MMDA announces revised list of MMFF 2015 movies. December 17, 2015. GMA News. September 13, 2015.
  8. Web site: MMFF Announces New Wave Finalists . . November 9, 2015 . November 28, 2015.
  9. News: FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2015 awards night. Rappler. December 27, 2015. December 27, 2015.
  10. Web site: MMFF 2015 moviegoers claim ticket swapping in cinemas. Philippine Entertainment Portal . December 25, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  11. News: 'My Bebe Love' director warns of MMFF ticket swapping. . December 26, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  12. News: MMFF 2015 organizers deny ticket swapping issue. . December 26, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  13. News: MMFF: Ticket swapping issue 'baseless'. . December 26, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  14. Web site: House panel to probe MMFF controversies next month. . December 28, 2015 . December 29, 2015.
  15. News: MMFF Entry 'Honor Thy Father' barred from Best Picture race. . December 26, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  16. News: 'Honor Thy Father' disqualified from MMFF 2015 Awards Best Picture category. . December 26, 2015 . December 27, 2015.
  17. Web site: 'Honor Thy Father' disqualified from MMFF Best Picture race. CNN Philippines. December 26, 2015. December 27, 2015. December 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151227140912/http://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2015/12/26/honor-thy-father-disqualified-from-MMFF-best-picture-category.html. dead.
  18. Web site: John Lloyd Cruz-starrer, Honor Thy Father, will officially be part of MMFF 2015. Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 2, 2015. December 27, 2015. January 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160105043737/http://www.pep.ph/mmff-2015/updates/21556/john-lloyd-cruz-starrer-honor-thy-father-will-officially-be-part-of-mmff-2015. dead.
  19. News: House resolution seeks probe on 'Honor Thy Father' DQ from MMFF Best Picture. . December 28, 2015 . December 29, 2015.
  20. Web site: Congress to probe MMFF Honor Thy Father DQ controversy. Interaksyon. December 28, 2015. December 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160408064954/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/121940/congress-to-probe-mmff-honor-thy-father-dq-controversy. April 8, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  21. News: MMFF 2015 entries 'Nilalang,' 'Honor Thy Father' pulled out of some cinemas. December 27, 2015. Rappler. December 27, 2015.
  22. News: MMFF official linked to 2 films that won awards. January 11, 2016 . January 16, 2016 . Rappler.
  23. Web site: My Bebe Love leads MMFF 2015 box-office race on first three days . Philippine Entertainment Portal . December 27, 2015 . January 16, 2016.
  24. Web site: Beauty and the Bestie is No. 1 in MMFF 2015; Top 4 ranking revealed . Philippine Entertainment Portal . January 13, 2016 . January 16, 2016.