MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino
We witnessed the reveal of the Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave Finalists a few days ago at Resorts World Manila. It's a tough year, but from the looks of it the several projects that were able to submit entries had lots of promise. MMFF New Wave makes use of the medium to produce films made by independent and student filmmakers. They are being given the opportunity to participate in the annual exhibition to spark a new breed of men and women that would create some of the best films our country could produce.
MMFF New Breed accepted entries from around the country in the categories of Animation, Cinephone, Student Short Film and Feature Film. In the event, Mr. Owen Cammayo from Resorts World Manila welcomed everyone by stating "Congratulations to Metro Manila Film Festival New Breed Category on your 5th Anniversary. We believe the Filipino is world class. World class films always has a place in Resorts World Manila and it's an honor to host this event, hopefully amongst many ones in the future."
The outgoing Chairman wishes the next MMFF organizers continue his vision for the film industry.
Chairman Francis Tolentino says "I will definitely leave this year but my wish to have we place to have on big Cinematic Festival, in one spot, together the brightest artists, and in that one booth we'll make the greatest films this country has ever known. Everyone will come out as friends for a more dynamic Filipino movie industry. Even if they are competitors, even if there are many cameras, everyone will shoot in one direction. This is my dream. In every piece of new wave piece they make, it has become an active avenue for film makers to showcase their work. These are timeless reforms and new wave creates change, a change for the better. New wave will continue and it will be part of the Cinema Fair. I hope actors, and everyone behind the camera would mirror life even better and we will start from these independent film makers."
Gemini by Blackswan Pictures stars models Sheena McBride and Brigitte McBride
Maratabat by Blank Pages Productions stars Ping Medina, Julio Diaz, Kristoffer King, Richard Quan, Chanel La Torre and Elizabeth Oropesa
Looks like this is also sort of a comeback project for Arlyn Dela Cruz as a Director and Producer.
Madame Marichu Vera Perez - Maceda, spokesperson of the MMFF Executive Committee
Marichu Vera Perez - Maceda has been in the industry for years now. Her passion is still to help the people in front or behind the camera and says "There's a lot of opportunities for the youth to use their talents and show it on a platform such as MMFF, their natural creative ability, we Filipinos are known for that. There's a lot of things out there, technology, internet, this is the Chairman's vision and we have supported him over the years. It is bearing fruit, although I don't know most of them, we are seeing a lot of really great people here making new films. Although the money isn't that big, it's enough to help create another project of an even greater one. We are gambling on the new generation, we are going to reap the success when we get to see new films made into mainstream. I am happy to see they've already made indie films released to mainstream and have done quite remarkably well. This is the chance for them to show how creative they are in just a few days."
Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs Head of Smart Communications Inc.
Smart's Mon Isberto says "We are happy to support the new wave category for 3 years now. We would like to congratulate MMFF for making sure Filipinos have access to works like these. Using this technology to spread message for our people is very important and we believe we'll have even greater entries in the coming years which we will also be supporting." whilst MyPhone's representative says "Thank you for having MyPhone to be part of MMFF. Like us, the Filipino brand will be supported by our corporation. Continue to be a legacy to everyone and we will be sternly supporting events like these."
This year's MMFF New Wave Full Feature Film Finalists are Gemini, M, Magkakabaung (The Coffin Maker), Maratabat (Pride and Honor) and Mulat. Whilst the MMFF New Wave Student Short Film Finalists are "Kalaw" from Asia Pacific Film Institute, "Kubli" from Far Eastern University, "Siyanawa" from Southern Luzon State University, "Bimyana" from De La Salle College of St. Benilde, "Ang Soltera" from De La Salle Lipa and "Bundok Chubibo" from UP Diliman. These are fully made by students so you can just imagine how we MMFF is believing in young talented individuals. They're hoping to make future masters and believe that is a possibility. Watch the projects and you'll see how bright the future is in this genre. We have Filipino film makers already doing good internationally right? This is the same reason why they want to hone home grown film makers because they're sure about one thing, we have real deal talent.
"We have an Animation category today, even a cellphone based one. There's a lot to look forward to. This is our baby, the film industry's baby. Everything here is sustainable and we all have to recognize that the fame winning here is enough for artistic juices to go on. If I'm looking forward to something, I hope there would be a Film making fair where everyone would meet and pull resources, something like a cinema fair. So if there's a director, aspiring actor, people behind the camera, they can do magic. I am happy to have started something new, it might be enough for some but I want it to be a big help with the support of the private sector. I hope there would be tons of film makers made after this, to break more records in the box office. Although I might not be able to see them, I wish to open doors at least." adds Chairman Tolentino.
Meanwhile, MMFF New Wave Animation 2014 Finalists "An Maogmang Lugar" made by Ateneo De Naga University, "Cherry" by Yawp! Studio, "Gymsnatch" from School of Design and Arts of the College of St. Benilde, "Isip Bata" from Alibata Productions and "Shifter" made by Jerico Fuentes complete the list in that line.
All films will be shown from December 17-24 at Glorietta and SM Megamall. For screening details, please check out the schedules of the individual theaters here and here.
For more information about their films:
MMFF New Wave
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http://www.mmff-newwave.ph/