Due to public demand, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will ask theater owners to extend until Jan. 7 the showing of entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
According to MMDA general manager Tim Orbos, there have been numerous calls and requests on social media to extend the 42nd MMFF by a few more days.
鈥淲e believe that what we did with the MMFF this year may not be recognized now but it will be appreciated by future generations,鈥� Orbos told reporters on Thursday.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy that there is a clamor for an extension from the people. We will write a formal letter addressed to theater owners to give consideration,鈥� he said.
The MMFF restructured this year its selection criteria and prioritized excellence in storytelling and creative accomplishments over commercial viability.
Orbos said that reaching 30 percent of last year鈥檚 earnings would have been enough for the executive committee but 鈥渨e鈥檙e happy that it鈥檚 more than 30 percent.鈥�
The committee had approved a 10-day screening period but due to public demand,聽 鈥渋t was incumbent upon us to request additional days,鈥� Orbos said. The festival began on Dec. 25 and was set to end on Jan. 3.
This year鈥檚 MMFF entries are 鈥淎ng Babae sa Septic Tank 2,鈥� 鈥淒ie Beautiful,鈥� 鈥淜abisera,鈥� 鈥淥ro,鈥� 鈥淪aving Sally,鈥� 鈥淪eklusyon,鈥� 鈥淪unday Beauty Queen,鈥� and 鈥淰ince & Kath & James.鈥�