Christmas in the Philippines is not the same without the country's staple of holiday festivities.
Aside from the usual feasts and get-togethers, it has also become a regular tradition among Filipino families to watch movies on Christmas Day.
This was the inspiration behind the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which started in 1975 with the primary goal of encouraging moviegoers to patronize Filipino films during the yuletide season while at the same time serving as the catalyst to inspire the local movie industry's creative minds to conceptualize fresh and novel concepts every year.
For this year's edition, the 2024 MMFF will carry the theme "Sinesigla sa Singkwenta," featuring 10 competing entries as a step up from the usual eight.
MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) chairman Don Artes emphasized during the announcement of entries that this expanded lineup is in keeping with the festival's vibrant spirit while commemorating its golden anniversary.
True to tradition, the MMFF exclusively showcases local films, temporarily barring foreign titles from Philippine cinemas (excluding IMAX and 4D theaters).
Here's a complete guide to this year's cinematic roster.
Read: MMFF 2024 grand media and fan con sidelights
MMFF 2024 ENTRIES (1ST BATCH)
The first batch of official entries was unveiled on July 16, 2024, at Bulwagang Villegas in Manila City Hall.
These five films were chosen from a pool of 39 scripts submitted by various production companies.
And the Breadwinner Is...
Synopsis: Overseas Filipino worker Bambi Salvador (Vice Ganda), returns home to Arayat, Pampanga on her birthday just to find her dream house in shambles.
To support her family, she revives "Papsy's Panaderyuh," a quirky bakery-slash-funeral parlor. When a mix-up leads to her being mistakenly declared dead in a bus accident, her family is set to receive PHP2 million in life insurance.
Now, Bambi faces a dilemma: should she pretend to be dead to claim the insurance or come clean about being alive?
Cast:
- Vice Ganda
- Eugene Domingo
- Joel Torre
- Jhong Hilario
- Gladys Reyes
- Maris Racal
- Anthony Jennings
- Kokoy de Santos
Read: Did Vice Ganda react to Jamela Villanueva's exposé on Instagram?
Green Bones
Synopsis: A rookie corrections officer, Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid), wrestles with grief and anger as he faces Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo), a criminal on the verge of being released from San Fabian Prison and Penal Farm after being convicted for the brutal murder of his own sister.
Gonzaga finds himself torn between duty and personal emotion, as he raises questions about the nature of justice, the limits of humanity behind bars, and the price of redemption.
Read: REVIEW: Green Bones, a guaranteed tearjerker
Cast:
- Dennis Trillo
- Ruru Madrid
- Iza Calzado
- Alessandra De Rossi
- Royce Cabrera
- Sofia Pablo
Read: Sofia Pablo's MMFF movie Green Bones is dream come true
Isang Himala
Synopsis: Isang Himala is a Philippine musical film adapted from the 2018 theatrical production Himala: Isang Musikal.
The play itself was inspired by the Ishmael Bernal's 1982 film Himala—starring Nora Aunor—which tells the story of Elsa, a young woman from a remote barrio whose claimed visions of the Virgin Mary transform her life.
Her newfound fame sparks mass hysteria in a drought-stricken village in northern Philippines, setting the stage for both personal and community-wide turmoil.
Read: REVIEW: Isang Himala shines with powerhouse performances
Cast:
- Aicelle Santos
- Bituin Escalante
Read: Ricky Lee, kinumbinsi si Nora Aunor maging bahagi ng Isang Himala
The Kingdom
Synopsis: King Lakan Makisig (Vic Sotto) of the Kingdom of Kalayaan faces a looming succession crisis as he struggles to choose the rightful heir among his three children.
His eldest son, Magat Bagwis (Sid Lucero), known for his fiery temper; his daughter, Dayang Matimyas (Cristine Reyes), who has a strained relationship with him due to her romantic involvement with a political adversary; and his youngest, Dayang Lualhati (Sue Ramirez), who enjoys the closest bond with the monarch.
When Lualhati is abducted before her marriage to a Thai prince, a rescue mission led by Bagwis fails. However, an outcast named Sulo (Piolo Pascual) secretly rescues her, sparking doubts about the kingdom’s leadership and putting Sulo's life in jeopardy.
Read: REVIEW: The Kingdom presents intriguing premise
Cast:
- Vic Sotto
- Piolo Pascual
- Cristine Reyes
- Sue Ramirez
- Sid Lucero
Read: Mike Tuviera explores uncolonized Philippines in The Kingdom
Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital
Synopsis: A meta found footage documents a team of celebrities and amateur ghosthunters led by actor Enrique Gil (playing himself), invited to explore and film in Taiwan's infamous Xinglin Hospital, one of the most haunted locations in Southeast Asia.
Directed by Kerwin Go and produced under Reality MM Studios, Inc., the film is an adaptation of the 2018 South Korean film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum.
Read: REVIEW: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital, the horror movie for your squad
Cast:
- Enrique Gil
- Jane de Leon
- Alexa Miro
- Rob Gomez
- MJ Lastimosa
- Raf Pineda
- Ryan Azurin
Read: Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital captures Variety press
MMFF 2024 ENTRIES (2ND BATCH)
The second batch of films was announced on October 22, 2024. This was chosen among the finished films submitted on or before September 30, 2024.
Espantaho
Synopsis: Monet (Judy Ann Santos) and her mother, Rosa (Lorna Tolentino), are mourning the recent death of Pabling, the family patriarch, in their ancestral home.
As they observe the traditional nine days of pasiyam—a solemn period of prayers for the departed—strange occurrences and dark secrets disrupt their mourning.
Read: REVIEW: Espantaho’s strength is in the power of three
Cast:
- Judy Ann Santos
- Lorna Tolentino
- Janice de Belen
- JC Santos
- Mon Confiado
- Eugene Domingo
Read: Eugene Domingo, na-starstruck kina Judy Ann at Lorna
Hold Me Close
Synopsis: Woody (Carlo Aquino), a restless wanderer, has spent seven years traveling the globe in search of a place—and a purpose—to call his own.
His journey leads him to Japan, where he crosses paths with Lynlyn (Julia Barretto), a woman gifted with an extraordinary ability: by simply touching someone, she can sense whether they bring joy or destruction into her life.
Cast:
- Carlo Aquino
- Julia Barretto
My Future You
Synopsis: Karen (Francine Diaz) and Lex (Seth Fedelin) meet through a dating app with a twist—they discover they're living in two different timelines, separated by 15 years.
Connected by a mysterious comet, their budding relationship takes an unexpected turn when they realize their unique connection could defy time and change the course of their lives.
Read: REVIEW: My Future You, an emotional rollercoaster worth watching
Cast:
- Francine Diaz
- Seth Fedelin
- Christian Vasquez
- Almira Muhlach
Topakk
Synopsis: Former special forces operative Miguel (Arjo Atayde) grapples with the harrowing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.
His already fragile existence takes a turn when he crosses paths with Isabel (Julia Montes), a woman on the run from a corrupt police death squad secretly aligned with a powerful drug cartel.
Caught between his personal demons and a relentless enemy, Miguel is thrust back into action using his tactical skills and combat experience to protect Isabel.
Read: REVIEW: Topakk delivers a visual feast, strong acting performances
Cast:
- Arjo Atayde
- Julia Montes
- Sid Lucero
- Enchong Dee
- Kokoy de Santos
Read: Arjo, Julia, Sid, Enchong aminadong inaatake ng "topakk" moments
Uninvited
Synopsis: Eva Candelaria (Vilma Santos) has spent ten long years meticulously plotting her revenge against billionaire Guilly Vega (Aga Muhlach), the man she holds responsible for her daughter's horrific murder.
With vengeance as her driving force, Eva reinvents herself as a sophisticated socialite to infiltrate Guilly's opulent birthday celebration—a night destined to unravel secrets, lies, and justice long overdue.
Read: REVIEW: Uninvited, a gripping masterpiece of revenge
Cast:
- Vilma Santos
- Aga Muhlach
- Nadine Lustre
- Tirso Cruz III
- Lotlot De Leon
