MMDA: Indie films to be featured in this year's Metro Filmfest

At least five independent films will be featured as “appetizers" in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will show at least five independent films from December 16 to 21 at selected theaters. "This is our way of helping independent filmmakers. It is a viable avenue for them to showcase their movies and to increase public awareness on these kinds of movies which are normally not shown commercially, but are internationally acclaimed in foreign film festivals," Tolentino said on the MMDA website. He said this initiative is in coordination with the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative (IFC) headed by Raymond Lee. A special committee has been formed to screen the films to be shown and to supervise the actual pre-MMFF exhibition. Tolentino said the move aims to promote quality independent films and to encourage small filmmakers. Under the arrangement, the films will be shown in digital theaters with high definition once a day, between 7 and 8 p.m., a week before the actual MMFF. The actual MMFF officially opens on Christmas Day. Pre-selling of tickets will be done to maximize viewership, Tolentino said. On the other hand, one segment of the Awards Night Program slated on December 26 shall be devoted to the independent filmmakers to highlight their participation in the MMFF. At least one entry will be given the award for Achievement in Technical Excellence and shall receive a sponsorship from Fuji Film to convert the film into 35-millimeter format for showing in regular commercial runs after January 7, 2011. Special citations will be given to all participating films, the MMDA said. Meanwhile, the MMDA will help in the advertisement and promotion of the independent films by installing tarpaulins in the agency's Pahayagan ng Bayan along the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.—JV, GMANews.TV