Manila International Film Festival to launch in LA on Nov. 2

Scene from the movie “GomBurZa,” one of the entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival that is being brought to Hollywood via Manila International Film Festival | Contributed photo

Los Angeles — Filipino movie lovers are in for a real treat this coming Thursday as the global edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), is launched Hollywood-style at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard.

At the MIFF launch on Nov. 2, three entries from the summer edition of the MMFF will be screened. The red-carpet event will also feature a VIP reception, a meet-and-greet with the filmmakers and stars, and a question-and-answer segment.

The three films are:

• “About Us But Not About Us” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, directed by Jun Lana
• “Here Comes the Groom” starring Enchong Dee and Miles Ocampo, directed by Chris Martinez
• “Love You Long Time” starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano, directed by Jaime Habac Jr.

MIFF plans to showcase, promote, and help uplift Filipino films from the Philippines in Hollywood and beyond, organizers said.

10 more MMFF entries going to LA

Early next year, the inaugural MIFF will also screen 10 2023 MMFF entries, including films starring Vilma Santos, Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, and Marian Rivera.

Six recently announced entries, plus four previously announced film projects in the 49th MMFF, will be screened in Los Angeles on Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb. 1 and 2, 2024.

Scene from “Firefly” | Contributed photo

The six MMFF entries recently announced by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romano Artes, MMFF selection committee chairman Jesse Ejercito, and executive director Rochelle Ona are:

• Jun Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang
• Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay
• Zig Madamba Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell Aleta, and Dingdong Dantes
• Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual, and Cedrick Juan
• Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador
• Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and de Leon

The four previously announced entries are:

• Nuel Naval’s “A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story),” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards
• King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay
• Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine Reyes
• Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes

Scene from “When I Met You In Tokyo” | Contributed photo

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager.

Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; and Cindy Sison, consultant.

For more information and tickets to the Nov. 2 screenings and events, visit the official site.