The City of Manila, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila and KreativDen Entertainment, has officially launched The Manila Film Festival (TMFF) 2024.
This year’s festival kicked off by showcasing the exemplary works of eight student filmmakers in the short film category.
Out of nearly 100 submissions received from aspiring filmmakers across the Philippines, these eight talented individuals have been recognized for their exceptional creativity and dedication to their craft. Each awardee has received a P150,000 grant, underscoring TMFF’s commitment to supporting and nurturing emerging talent in the local film industry.
TMFF 2024 aims to rejuvenate Manila’s cultural landscape and reaffirm its status as a thriving center for Filipino arts and cinema. Festival director and consultant Ed Cabagnot, a key figure in the Philippine film industry and one of the founders of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, highlighted the festival’s mission to celebrate Manila’s rich cultural heritage.
The theme for this year’s festival, “Manila in Me,” encapsulates the city’s profound influence on Filipino identity and storytelling. It acknowledges Manila as a city of limitless possibilities and countless narratives that resonate deeply within the hearts and minds of Filipinos worldwide.
The selected student filmmakers and their respective films are:
- An Kuan by Joyce Ramos (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)
- Bahay, Baboy, Bagyo by Miko Biong (University of the Philippines Film Institute)
- Ballad of a Blind Man by Charlie Garcia Vitug (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
- Ditas Pinamalas by Adrian Renz Espino (Adamson University)
- Happy (M)others Day by Ronnie Ramos (University of the Philippines Film Institute)
- Pinilakang Tabingi by John Pistol Carmen (Bicol University)
- Una’t Huling Sakay by Vhan Marco Molacruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Manila)
- threefor100: o ang tamang porma ng pag uukay at iba pang mga bagay-bagay, i think! by Cedrick Labadia (iACADEMY)
In addition to the student entries, TMFF has invited four acclaimed young filmmakers to showcase their short films:
- Lumang Tugtugin by Lorenzo “Pepe” Diokno (director) and Madonna Tarrayo (producer)
- May at Niia by Sigrid Bernardo (director) and Ava Yap (line producer)
- Nananahan by Dwein Baltazar (director) and Iana Bernardez (line producer)
- Shortest Day, Longest Night by JP Habac (director) and Maria Kristina Cruz (line producer)
These films will be produced by ANIMA, a production studio known for its global success in promoting Filipino talent. ANIMA has garnered international acclaim with films such as Hito, Where Is The Lie (Marupok AF), and Leonor Will Never Die, which received a Special Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and is currently streaming on Netflix.
The screenings of TMFF 2024 will take place at the historic Metropolitan Theater (MET) from June 5 to 11, 2024. Additional screenings will be held at Robinson’s Movieworld – Manila and Robinson’s Movieworld – Magnolia, with plans for a nationwide school tour to showcase these films to students across educational institutions in the Philippines.
The culminating event of The Manila Film Festival will be the awards night at the MET on June 11, where accolades will be bestowed upon outstanding films and filmmakers. Categories include Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress, as well as special awards like People’s Choice and Jury’s Choice.
This year’s jury panel comprises esteemed personalities from the film industry, including Park Sungho (Busan International Film Festival), Bianca Balbuena (ANIMA), Neil Daza (director and cinematographer), Coreen “Monster” Jimenez (producer), and Eduardo “Dodo” Dayao (writer and director).
The screening committee includes prominent figures in the arts, culture, and entertainment sectors: Bianca Balbuena, Noah Tonga, Wanggo Gallaga, Mackie Galvez, Dido Camara, and DTCAM’s Charlie Dungo.
