00:00 A record-breaking feat in the local film industry, authorities say the 49th edition of the Metro Manil Film Festival has already surpassed the previous box office record.
00:09 Now as of January 7, the 10 entries raked in 1.069 billion pesos in gross receipts, already higher than the 2018 record of 1.061 billion pesos.
00:22 That figure continues to increase as the films are still showing in cinemas until Sunday.
00:28 To give us an assessment, joining us now via Zoom is MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer. Good morning to you Noel. Wow, thanks for joining us and congratulations to you.
00:39 Congratulations to us, Christine, because we've waited long for this, remember?
00:44 Pre-pandemic, we had good records in the box office and it's been a long time since we've seen lines in theaters and they're back. The audiences are back to the theaters again. Thank you.
00:55 What were you expecting coming into this Metro Manila Film Fest? What were your expectations?
01:02 We were targeting at least the top last year's record which was 500 million. But Christine, we've noticed that there's a different kind of audience now.
01:14 This year, we've noticed that usually December 25 is the highest grossing box office day in the country. So when families catch any film that most members can watch, usually the kids have the power to choose which films to view and the elders like us will just adjust.
01:34 But this year, audience behavior has slightly changed. January 2 earnings, past that of Christmas Day and towards the end of the festival run, people just went to the cinemas in hordes to have the last chance to catch the films after getting a lot of feedback and reviews.
01:53 Meaning, people have money but they're holding on to their money. Unlike before, they'll just spend as much money during Christmas Day. Now, they can hold their money and then wait for good reviews, good feedback from viewers.
02:12 What factors would you contribute to the success of the Metro Manila Film Fest this year? You mentioned one about possibly the audience. What else would you contribute to the fact of its success?
02:26 Primarily, content is king. Good content, good storytelling. Star Power may be secondary now. We've also seen that awards do matter but then good word of mouth is equally important.
02:45 Like Rewind, which is now the top box office draw, hasn't won any awards in the Metro Manila Film Fest but then it's still raking in money. But then the two films, Gumburza and Firefly, continue to have good standing, good ranking because of good story and good word of mouth too.
03:09 And then we could also attribute this to Christine. We know before, people, the stars would just do press conference and do the parade and then they'll take their Christmas break.
03:20 But we see in this film fest, we have Ate V, Sharon, the big stars, Ding Dong, Piyolo, Marian, doing the rounds of theaters, selling advance tickets, and then really doing cross-network guesting. And Christine Pagnilan, they've been rewarded with their hard work.
03:45 Well, I mean, because of all of that, you have surpassed the 2018, which was, you know, the top gross back then was 1.061 billion, I believe. So, would you consider this, Noel, as a milestone in terms of the Metro Manila Film Fest?
04:01 It is a milestone, Christine. It's a road to the 50th anniversary and we've waited long for this. We know that the movie industry has been hard as hit during the pandemic. The concert scene is back. People have been watching K-pop and local concerts in hordes and even the theater scene is back.
04:23 People are wanting the live experience. But then the movie viewing has been so sidetracked because a lot of our Kababayans are into streaming already. But despite that, we've been able to lure them back to go to the theater.
04:40 Well, all that has definitely worked. I mean, you had a lot of firsts this year. You have 10 entries for this year. And not only that, but the parade. Would the parade also help, considering that you had to go through four cities?
04:56 Before, we were just in Quezon Circle. But now, you decided. Do you think you will continue this for 2024 Metro Manila Film Fest?
05:05 Yes, the parade has been a tradition in the Metro Manila Film Fest. It's reaching more audiences. We've covered Camanava, Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, and Venezuela this year. But for our 50th, we're going back to Manila, our base. It's where the Metro Manila Film Fest started. We did the parade all over that place, the capital.
05:31 And then this year, we're preparing for a retrospective of past Metro Manila Film Fests. And then we're trying to partner with cinemas to have it at a lower price to refresh them of the really good old Metro Manila Film Fest films, which we see as standard for excellence.
05:54 And then we're preparing for a major book, which should be a good resource, a reference for students who are studying film. And then we're doing a lot more activities. We're going to Hollywood now. We're bringing all these 10 films to Hollywood.
06:14 Because going back to the theaters is a global problem, too. A global challenge. So even in the States, they have to lure people to go back to the theaters. And then really make streaming just one of the options. So we're bringing the 10 entries, and then we're doing this festival again. And we're inviting people, our Cababayans even, and even people abroad, to appreciate more Filipino films.
06:43 Okay, Noel, let me backtrack a little bit before we tackle the MIFF once again. Now, you know, this is also, you know, I just want to highlight how incredible the Metro Manila Film Fest did this year. Because in previous years, like in 2018, when we had the top number of 1.061 billion, that was in what? 1,200 cinemas. Is that correct?
07:05 Correct. And then this year, how many cinemas were open? And here in the Metro and, you know, in the other areas of the Philippines?
07:14 Maka Christine, it's less than 1,000. Probably 800 plus. Plus, during the pandemic, a lot of theaters haven't been used. So all their equipment, and then a lot of refurbishing, and all their amenities had to be done. So we're expecting to have more theaters open by the time we celebrate our 50th anniversary.
07:38 And really, it's a change in viewing habits. A lot still has to be done in terms of like, lowering ticket prices, perhaps, lobbying for that, and more support for good Filipino films. But I think we also hit the right spot in choosing the right entries.
07:58 Now, I have to underscore this. Yes, star power is important, but story is king. Story is of primary importance. We would want the usual top-grossing stars like Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, Vic Soto, to be back in the Metro Manila Film Fest, but really with very, very good entries.
08:25 Meaning, the audience taste have already changed. So we hope to have them back with very, very good entries. People would say, "Ay, ang ganda ng pelikula. Papanoorin ko ulit."
08:41 I mean, we can always just keep getting better and better. We've always wanted to produce quality films. I think that has always been the goal of the Metro Manila Film Fest. And each year, it just keeps getting better. And now, it's proven how well that you have done. So much so that you have extended the run until this Sunday. Is there a possibility that you will continue to extend it, or this is the deadline now?
09:06 Usually, when you really have good films, we've been running on extensions also in local films, even outside Metro Manila Film Fest. Kasi ganun karami yung output natin sa sinihan ngayon. So I would survise that some of the entries would still go beyond the 14th because they're still performing really well.
09:30 Okay. And since they're performing really well, another milestone for this Metro Manila Film Fest, rather, would be the Manila International Film Fest, which will be happening at the end of this month. All 10 films will be viewed there, but you're going to have a new set of judges. Have you already chosen the judges?
09:50 They have chosen the judges. We have sponsors who are involved in the Golden Globe Awards. And a lot of Filipino community has organized a really credible panel of judges. But more than that, because we will abide by the rules and the decision of our judges here.
10:14 So the Metro Manila Film Fest, Best Actor and Best Actress won't change. It's still Velma Santos and Cedric Juan. But then when we bring this to a different place, they would have their own choices. And that's understandable. But more than that, it's really luring people back to support films, to support our films.
10:34 And then we are thinking of having first crack into campaigning for the Oscars. Because I think our films deserve to be the Metro Manila Film Fest entries, or at least the Best Pictures, deserve to be our entry to the Oscars or the Golden Globes in the future.
10:55 So this is a way of networking and then talking to the right distributors and the people who will push for these entries to finally have our Oscar and Golden Globes nomination.
11:07 I mean, Noel, a lot of great things are happening for Filipino films. It's going to be a big year for you guys and Metro Manila Film Fest as we celebrate its 50th year. A lot of things happening for you. We hope to have you back here so we can talk more in extent as to what you guys are beefing up for this 2024 Metro Manila Film Fest. We wish you all the best. Thank you so much, Noel, for joining us here on New Day.
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