Headlining the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival’s initial line-up of entries are major and fast-rising stars, including (clockwise, from top left) Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, FranSeth, Fyang Smith, Ivana Alawi and Dustin Yu.
Lyka Nicart - The Philippine Star
July 10, 2025 | 12:00am
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 has officially kicked off with the announcement of its first four official entries during the grand launch of the filmfest’s 51st edition with the theme, “A New Era for Philippine Cinema.”
According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and MMFF concurrent chairman, lawyer Don Artes, the strong public support during the MMFF’s golden jubilee last year set a high standard for this year’s edition. The MMFF executive committee now hopes to keep that momentum going.
“We promise an even more exciting and engaging experience for the filmmakers and moviegoers alike for the 51st edition of the MMFF. With the first batch of entries revealed, get ready for an exciting cinematic journey in December,” said Artes during the event held at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, Makati City, on Tuesday afternoon.
For the MMFF’s 51st year, a total of 23 submissions were received, resulting in a competitive and challenging selection process.
“The MMFF’s call for entries, which yielded a large number of submissions, was overwhelming. The MMFF is committed to providing a platform for local filmmakers to connect with the audience. MMFF 51 is a new era for Philippine cinema,” said Artes.
The MMFF’s selection committee, headed by Boots Anson-Rodrigo, selected the first batch of entries from the script submissions, according to the following criteria: artistic excellence, commercial appeal, Filipino cultural sensibility and global appeal. Headlining the initial lineup are major stars, fueling excitement for what’s to come this year.
This includes “Call Me Mother,” set to be topbilled by Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, and produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., The IdeaFirst Company and Viva Communications, Inc. Director is Jun Robles Lana, who also wrote the script with Daisy Cayanan and Daniel Saniana.
Another entry is “Rekonek,” a production by Reality MM Studios under the direction of Jade Castro. Scriptwriters are Jericho Aguado, Leovic Arceta and Kat Naval.
The film’s cast is led by Carmina Villaroel, Gloria Diaz, Alexa Miro, Gerald Anderson and Zoren Legaspi.
“Manila’s Finest,” headlined by MMFF regular Piolo Pascual, is Cignal TV, Inc.’s entry for this year with Rae Red serving as a director. The script is written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, Sherad Anthony Sanchez
Rounding up the list is the latest installment in the enduring horror franchise of Regal Entertainment, “Shake, Rattle and Roll: Evil Origins.” As the tradition, the film features three directors for the anthology film, namely Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman and Ian Loreños.
Scriptwriters are Alex Castor, Onay Sales and Gina Marissa Tagasa. Lead actors are Ivana Alawi, Fyang Smith, Loisa Andalio, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Carla Abellana, Marilyn Reynes, Janice de Belen, Kaila Estrada, Richard Gutierrez, Ryan Bang, JM Ibarra, Dustin Yu and the FranSeth loveteam (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin).
These first four entries will form part of the official eight entries to the 51st MMFF to be shown in cinemas nationwide beginning on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.
The annual MMFF is organized by the MMDA and held during the Christmas season to support and celebrate Filipino films.
Proceeds from the MMFF go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry, such as the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Meanwhile, the grand launch was graced by Kapamilya Big 4 housemates Brent Manalo, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo and Ralph De Leon from the “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.”
The remaining four entries will be selected from finished film submissions with a deadline of Sept. 15. These will be unveiled on Sept. 30.
Other MMFF 2025 activities to watch out for are the MMFF 2025 media conference, Oct. 30; celebrity golf tournament, Nov. 12; Parade of the Stars, Dec. 19; nationwide showing of official entries, Dec. 25; and Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27.
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