Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya
April 8 – 18, 2023
All cinemas nationwide
Get ready for MMFF’s first-ever summer edition!
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has announced eight official entries for its inaugural summer edition in April. Similar to its December edition, the festival features Filipino films in a wide array of genres, including drama, romance, comedy, musical, and thriller. The MMFF Selection Committee hopes the lineup will entice the public, particularly millennials and Gen Zs, to attend the film festival.
The first Summer MMFF will run for 11 days, from April 8 to 18, in all cinemas nationwide in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
The Films
About Us But Not About Us
“An UNEXPECTED MASTERPIECE…with a Surprising Plot Twist.”
See why this Filipino film won Critics’ Picks Best Film in Europe!
This drama-thriller tells the story of Eric, a literature professor at the English Department of the University of the Philippines, who meets up with his student, and rumored lover, Lancelot, months after the suicide of Marcus, a celebrated Filipino writer best known for his novels in English, and Eric’s longtime partner. As their conversation becomes more detailed and complicated, secrets and lies will be unearthed and the sinister nature of their identities will be revealed while they all wrestle with the truth.
Produced by Octoberian Films, The Ideafirst Company and Quantum Films, directed by Jun Robles Lana, and starring Romnick Sarmienta, Elijah Canlas.
Apag
Rafael, a son of a wealthy family, causes a deadly car accident while returning home from market to prepare for a feast. Frightened, he tries to cover up the case, and is soon caught in a downward spiral from the burden of guilt.
Directed by: Brillante Mendoza
Cast: Coco Martin, Gladys Reyes, Jaclyn Jose, Mercedes Cabral, Lito Lapid, Julio Diaz, Ronwaldo Martin, Shaina Magdayao, Joseph, Vince Rillon, and Gina Pareño
Center Stage Production
Here Comes The Groom
May bardagulang kasalan na magaganap — at invited kayong lahat!
This comedy film is the sequel to the hit film Here Comes the Bride. It follows the story of Rodrigo, Sr., his wife Salve, their children Rodrigo, Jr. and Blesilda who are on their way to Junior’s wedding in the midst of a solar eclipse and cruising on a magnetic field when their vehicle hits the van of a family of a gay pageant konteseras Mama Wendy, Wanda, Winona, Whilhelmina and Whitney their trainee and a soul swapping happens. They will need to stay in their swapped bodies for the next 7 years. The film works around the notion that a family comes in different forms, respect must be accorded to every human being regardless of gender and it is not your body but your soul that holds your identity.
Produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions and Brightlight Productions, directed by Chris Martinez, and starring Enchong Dee, Keempee De Leon, Awra Briguela, Xilohuette, Maris Racal and Kalad Karen.
Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera
An anthology and origin film of the life and career of Rey Valera, centering on the inspirations behind his Original Pilipino Music chartbusters.
Starring RK Bagatsing as Rey Valera, Aljur Abrenica, Rico Barrera, Gelli de Belen, Lotlot De Leon, Meg Imperial, Ronnie Lazaro, Ara Mina, Arlene Muhlach, Dennis Padilla, Epy Quizon, Ariel Rivera, Rosanna Roces, Lou Veloso, Gardo Versoza, and many more.
Directed by Joven Tan for Saranggola Media.
Love You Long Time
FROM STATIC NOISE TO SPARKS. ✨
This romance film tells the love story of Eulogio and Ikay that after six years of being a couple, their relationship has gone stale and Eulogio’s marriage proposal was outrightly rejected by Ikay. When they broke up, Ikay decided to pack her bags and went to Baguio. On the way to Baguio, Ikay mysteriously met a new guy Uli through an old push-to-talk phone. Their friendship turned to love but of course not without complications as Uli seems to be from the past.
It is produced by Studio Three Sixty, Inc., directed by JP Habac, starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano.
Axinite Digicinema Inc.
Single Bells
Para sa lahat ng SINGLE BELLS! Nood na at tumawa nang tumawa!
The film is about the life and experience and learnings of 2 single ladies Rose Ann and Rose Mae. Rose Ann swore to forever be single after being left at the altar by the love of her life, Jeric. After that, she promised to never love again and to focus on taking care of her handicapped mother. After many years, destiny, however, puts her to the test when she crosses paths with Jeric again at the radio station she works at. While Rose Mae is the opposite – she’s desperate to be in a relationship and spends most of her time on dating apps and speed dating events. For Rose Ann, it’s either to forgive or be stuck in the past. For Rose Mae, it’s either choosing herself or settling for whoever is there. Will they make the right choice and open a new chapter or stay on their course and forever be a single bell?
The romantic comedy film is produced by TINCAN and is written and directed by Fifth Solomon, starring Alex Gonzaga and Angeline Quinto.
Unravel
Maniwala sa pagmamahal. Maniwala sa halaga ng buhay.
This drama film opens as the number of Lucy is called for her interview at a Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) center. She calmly takes a seat in front of the interviewer. When asked what her purpose in applying for a Schengen visa (to visit Switzerland) is, she clears her throat. Lucy gets teary-eyed, as we dissolve into various scenarios of Lucy trying to end her life.
Produced by Mavx Productions, Inc., directed by RC Delos Reyes, and starring Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla.
Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko
‘Bawat pahina, palapit sa’yo’
This is a romance drama film about a writer named Liza, who meets a Korean man named Kim Gun Hoo at the promotions and book signing for her book. The Korean man professes to be a fan of hers and later invites her to explore the filming locations in Korea. In Korea, Gun Hoo reveals that he and Liza actually know each other and had been dating for 6 years. Later it is revealed that Liza was raised by her Filipina mother who worked in Korea but committed suicide which affected Liza so much causing her to develop PTSD that made her forget everything about her time and life on Korea including her memories of Gun Hoo.
The film is produced by Viva Communications, Inc., directed by Ms. Bela Padilla, who also is the lead star of the movie.
Starring Bela Padilla, Yoo Min Gon, Boboy Garovillo, and Lorna Tolentino.
