- Prior to the announcement of the four initial entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017, comes the resignations of three respected members of the panel
Director Erik Matti surprised everyone with the news that three of MMFF Execom members resigned from their positions due to this year’s movie slate for the festival.
Academician Rolando Tolentino, scriptwriter Ricky Lee and broadcast journalist Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala confirmed that they left the panel on Friday, same day of the press release.
Tolentino posted a series of tweets in his account that is related to his dismay of the board’s decisions.
Lee also shared his disappointment. He too, expected that the festival will continue on the reform it started last year.
“Sa mga nagtataka at nagtatanong kung bakit ako nag-resign bilang miyembro ng Execom ng MMFF, simple lang naman ang sagot. Noong una pa man nang pumayag akong sumali, nag-decide na ako na mag-i-stay lang ako kung ipagpapatuloy nito ang nasimulan nang reforms ng 2016. Sa nagiging takbo ng mga pangyayari ngayon ay mukhang malabo na iyong mangyari. Kaya wala na ring dahilan para mag-stay pa ako.”
According to Film Development Council of the Philippines chair Liza Diño-Seguerra, she believes that these resignations are “very much related to the results [of the selection].”
The first four official entries to MMFF are as follows:
“ANG PANDAY”
Director: Rodel Nacianceno
Producer: CCM Creative Productions, Inc.
Lead Actor: Coco Martin
“ALMOST IS NOT ENOUGH”
Director: Dan Villegas
Producers: Quantum & Mjm Productions
Lead Actors: Jennylyn Mercado & Jericho Rosales
“THE REVENGERS”
Director: Joyce A. Bernal
Producers: Star Cinema & Viva Films
Lead Actors: Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla & Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
“LOVE TRAPS #Family Goals”
Director: Antonio Y. Reyes
Producer: Octo Arts Films
Lead Actors: Vic Sotto & Dawn Zulueta
It can be recalled that last year, these productions were rejected due to the festival’s stint to support independent films.
The second batch of competing films will be announced on November 2017.
