The MMFF 2023 ExeComm has chosen six completed films to participate in the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). These selections mark an exciting addition to the festival’s lineup, promising a diverse array of cinematic experiences for audiences to look forward to.

The chosen films include “When I Met You In Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, “Becky & Badette,” featuring Pokwang and Eugene Domingo, “Mallari,” led by Piolo Pascual, “Firefly,” with Alessandra de Rossi and Euwenn Mikael, “Broken Hearts’ Trip,” starring Christian Bables, and “GomBurZa,” a collaborative effort of Enchong Dee, Cedrick Juan, and Dante Rivera.

On Tuesday afternoon, October 17, 2023, Atty. Romando Artes, the Overall Chairman of the MMFF 2023 ExeComm, unveiled the final six entries for the 49th MMFF at the new MMDA building situated on Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Pasig City.

According to Atty. Artes, “Thirty [30] finished films po ang isinabmit sa atin. Napakarami po or halos lahat sa kanila ay maganda. Originally, ang plan lang po ay apat na finished films ang pipiliin. Fortunately, iyong 4, 5, 6 po na rank ay sobrang magkakadikit po ng scores. We decided na huwag nang i-break yung tie at bigyan po ng pagkakataon itong mga pelikulang ito na maipalabas dito po sa ating 49th edition ng MMFF.”

“So, alam ko po, nahirapan po ang Selection Committee sa pangunguna po ni Mr. Jesse Ejercito. Siya po ang siguro makakapagsabi kung ano ang pinagdaanan ng Selection Committee sa pagpili po nitong anim na karagdagang official entries.

“So, from the traditional eight, gagawin po nating sampung titles ang kalahok sa 49th MMFF.

“Alam ko po, may mga reservations regarding that dahil in fact, meron po akong nakitang interbyu ng isang batikang direktor na nagsasabi, na pag dinagdagan mo yung titles, more than eight, ay baka hindi po kumita.

“Diniscuss po namin yan at lahat po ay in agreement na hindi po makakasama — in fact, makakabuti pa sa movie industry — kung magdadagdag ng titles.

“Dahil from 600 cinemas naman po from last year, ay nangako po ang cinema operators, ang CEAP [Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines], na pipilitin nila na more than 800 cinemas po ang bukas for the 49th MMFF.”

1. FIREFLY (GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs) — Starring Alessandra De Rossi and introducing Kapuso child actor Euwenn Mikaell. Also starring Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Cherry Pie Picache, Epy Quizon, Yayo Aguila, Max Collins, Kokoy De Santos. With the special participation of Dingdong Dantes. Written by Angeli Atienza, directed by Zig Dulay
2. GOMBURZA (Jesuit Communications Foundation) — Dante Rivero, Cedrick Juan, and Enchong Dee, with the special participation of Piolo Pascual, written by Rodolfo Vera and Pepe Diokno, directed by Pepe Diokno
3. WHEN I MET YOU IN TOKYO (JG Productions) — Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Tirso Cruz III, with Darren Espanto and Cassy Legaspi, directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa
4. MALLARI (Mentorque Productions) — Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, Elisse Joson and Ms. Gloria Diaz, written by Enrico Santos, directed by Derick Cabrido
5. BECKY AND BADETTE (The IdeaFirst Company) — Eugene Domingo and Pokwang, written and directed by Jun Robles Lana
6. BROKEN HEARTS TRIP (Smart Films, OPC in cooperation with BMC Films) — Christian Bables, Teejay Marquez, Andoy Ranay, Iyah Mina, Marvin Yap, and Petite, story by Lex Bonife, written by Archie Del Mundo, directed by Lemuel Lorca
   Sila ang masusuwerting makakasama sa FIRST FOUR (na pasok na) –
7. REWIND (Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, Agostodos Pictures) — Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, directed by Mae Cruz Alviar
8. FAMILY OF TWO (A MOTHER AND SON’S STORY) (Cineko Productions) — Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards, written by Mel Del Rosario, directed by Nuel Naval
9. (K)AMPON (Quantum Films) — Derek Ramsay and Beauty Gonzales, directed by King Palisoc
10. PENDUKO (Sari-Sari Network, Viva Films) — Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Versoza, written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana