# 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival

The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 50th edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (excluding IMAX and 4D theaters).

## Entries
### Feature films

The first five official entries were announced on July 16, 2024, at the Bulwagang Villegas at the Manila City Hall, selected from 39 scripts submitted by production companies. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Don Artes revealed during the press conference that the 50th edition theme is called "Sinesigla sa Singkwenta" which highlights this year's festival featuring 10 competing entries with various genres, instead of the usual eight entries. The second batch of films was announced on October 22, 2024. This was chosen among the finished films submitted on or before September 30, 2024.
Most entries were given the Parental Guidance rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. My Future You were deemed fitted for a general audience, Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital were classified as R-13 rating, while the film festival's two thriller films Topakk and Uninvited where given the R-16 rating.
| Title | Starring | Production company | Director | Genre |
| First batch ||||||
| And the Breadwinner Is... | Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, Gladys Reyes, Jhong Hilario, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings | Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company | Jun Lana | Comedy, Family |
| Green Bones | Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid | GMA Pictures | Zig Dulay | Suspense, Drama |
| Isang Himala | Aicelle Santos, Bituin Escalante | Kapitol Films, UXS | Pepe Diokno | Musical |
| The Kingdom | Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual | APT Entertainment, Mzet Productions, MQuest Ventures | Michael Tuviera | Action, Family, Drama |
| Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital | Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon, Alexa Miro | Reality MM Studios | Kerwin Go | Horror |
| Second batch ||||||
| Espantaho | Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino | Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, Purple Bunny Productions | Chito S. Roño | Horror |
| Hold Me Close | Carlo Aquino, Julia Barretto | Viva Films, Ninuno Media | Jason Paul Laxamana | Romance |
| My Future You | Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin | Regal Entertainment | Crisanto Aquino | Romantic comedy |
| Topakk | Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Enchong Dee, Kokoy de Santos | Nathan Studios, Strawdog Studios, FUSEE | Richard Somes | Action, Thriller |
| Uninvited | Vilma Santos, Nadine Lustre, Aga Muhlach | Mentorque Productions, Project 8 Projects | Dan Villegas | Thriller |

### Student short film entries

In association with Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the agency is conducting the Student Short Film Competition, a platform designed to showcase young Filipino filmmakers. It will be scheduled to announce ten selected short films on the second week of November.
| Title | School | Director |
| 50 BPM | De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde | Luke Remetre |
| A Delivery Rider | City of Malabon University | Jennissie Gilbuena |
| Fifty-Fifty | Bulacan State University | Laurence de Vera |
| Ikalimampung Palapag | University of the Philippines Diliman | Kimi Ong, Ryuta Suwa, and Raina Vergara |
| Inang Wak-wak | Mindanao State University–General Santos City | Drenzel Calopez |
| Pabaon | STI College–Cainta | Desiree Anne de Belen |
| PNB 12-50 | University of the Philippines Mindanao | Ryan Paolo Resuena |
| Saan Aabot Ang 50 Pesos Mo | University of Makati | Selina Claire Napano |
| 50lo Trip With Lolo Dan | University of the Philippines Diliman | Denbert Tiamzon and Jay-r Julio |
| The 50th Soul | University of Makati | Raphael Jesse Tominez |

## Parade of Stars

The MMDA revealed the 12 km (7.5 mi) route of the 2:00 p.m. annual "Parade of Stars" on December 21 will be held from the Kartilya ng Katipunan to the Manila Central Post Office.

## Awards

The Gabi ng Parangal (transl. Awards Night) of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival will be held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque, on December 27, 2024.
Jefrë designed the MMFF trophy featuring a silver figurine with an upper torso of film reel and filmstrip.

### Major awards

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Nominations are also listed if applicable.
| Best Picture | Best Director |
| Green Bones – GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs‡ The Kingdom – APT Entertainment, Mzet Productions, MediaQuest (2nd Best Picture) My Future You – Regal Entertainment (3rd Best Picture) Isang Himala – Kapitol Films, UXS (4th Best Picture) | Michael Tuviera – The Kingdom and Crisanto Aquino – My Future You (tie) ‡ Richard Somes – Topakk Zig Dulay – Green Bones Pepe Diokno – Isang Himala Chito S. Roño – Espantaho |
| Best Actor | Best Actress |
| Dennis Trillo – Green Bones‡ Vice Ganda – And the Breadwinner Is... Seth Fedelin – My Future You Vic Sotto – The Kingdom Piolo Pascual – The Kingdom Arjo Atayde – Topakk | Judy Ann Santos – Espantaho‡ Aicelle Santos – Isang Himala Francine Diaz – My Future You Jane de Leon – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital Julia Montes – Topakk Vilma Santos – Uninvited |
| Best Supporting Actor | Best Supporting Actress |
| Ruru Madrid – Green Bones‡ Sid Lucero – Topakk Sid Lucero – The Kingdom Jhong Hilario – And the Breadwinner Is... Kokoy de Santos – And the Breadwinner Is... David Ezra – Isang Himala | Kakki Teodoro – Isang Himala‡ Chanda Romero – Espantaho Lorna Tolentino – Espantaho Gabby Padilla – Uninvited Nadine Lustre – Uninvited Cristine Reyes – The Kingdom |
| Best Screenplay | Best Cinematography |
| Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza – Green Bones‡ Chris Martinez – Espantaho Ricky Lee and Pepe Diokno – Isang Himala Crisanto Aquino – My Future You Michelle Ngu-Nario – The Kingdom | Neil Daza – Green Bones‡ Neil Daza – Espantaho Mark Tirona – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital Shayne Sarte – The Kingdom Louie Quirino – Topakk Pao Orendain – Uninvited |
| Best Production Design | Best Editing |
| Nestor Abrogena – The Kingdom‡ Angel Diesta – Espantaho Maolen Fadul – Green Bones Ericcson Navarro – Isang Himala Jerann Ordinario – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital Richard Somes – Topakk | Vanessa Ubas De Leon – My Future You‡ Benjo Ferrer – Espantaho Benjamin Tolentino – Green Bones Kurt Claridades – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital Tara Illenberger – The Kingdom Jamie Dumancas – Topakk |
| Best Sound | Best Original Theme Song |
| Ditoy Aguila – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital‡ Alex Tomboc & Lamberto Casas Jr. – Espantaho Narra by Wildsound – Green Bones Mark Locsin, Teresa Barozzo & Narra Post – Isang Himala Albert Michael M. Idioma, Janina Mikaela Minglanilla, Andrea Teresa T. Idioma, Jhon Eric Mancera, Donald Ilagan, Gerald Guardiano, Merlvin Rivera – Topakk | "Ang Himala ay Nasa Puso" from Isang Himala – by Juan Karlos Labajo‡ "Magkabilaan" from The Kingdom – by Zephanie Dimaranan and Apoc "Darkness Calls" from Topakk – by Basti Artadi "Hahamakin ang Lahat" from Uninvited – by KZ Tandingan and Arthur Nery |
| Best Musical Score | Best Visual Effects |
| Vincent De Jesus – Isang Himala‡ Von De Guzman – Espantaho Len Calvo – Green Bones Decky Jazer Margaja – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital Jessie Lassaten – The Kingdom Jose Antonio Buencamino – Topakk | Riot Inc. – The Kingdom‡ Gaspar Mangarin and Walter Monte – Espantaho Engine Room and Green Maya – Isang Himala Santelmo Studio Inc. – My Future You Mothership Inc. – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital |
| Best Child Performer | Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award |
| Sienna Stevens – Green Bones‡ Kean Co – Espantaho Zion Cruz – The Kingdom | The Kingdom‡ |
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence | Best Float |
| Topakk‡ And the Breadwinner Is... Green Bones My Future You The Kingdom | Topakk and Uninvited (tie) ‡ And the Breadwinner Is... Espantaho My Future You |
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Breakthrough Performance Award |
| And the Breadwinner Is...‡ | Seth Fedelin – My Future You‡ Francine Diaz – My Future You Alexa Miro – Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital |

### Other awards

* Lifetime Achievement Award – Joseph Estrada
* Special Jury Citation – Vice Ganda (And the Breadwinner Is...)
* Special Jury Prize – Topakk and Isang Himala

### Student short film
#### Best Picture

* Saan Aabot Ang 50 Pesos Mo? – University of Makati (Best Picture)
* A Delivery Rider – City of Malabon University (2nd Best Picture)
* PNB 12–50– University of the Philippines Mindanao (3rd Best Picture)

#### Special Jury Prize

* Inang Wak-wak – Mindanao State University - General Santos

### Multiple awards

| Awards | Film |
| 6 | Green Bones |
| 5 | Isang Himala |
| 5 | The Kingdom |
| 4 | My Future You |
| 3 | Topakk |
| 2 | And the Breadwinner Is... |

### Multiple nominations

| Awards | Film |
| 16 | The Kingdom |
| 14 | Espantaho |
| 13 | Topakk |
| 12 |
| 12 | Green Bones |
| 12 | Isang Himala |
| 10 | My Future You |
| 8 | Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital |
| 7 | And the Breadwinner Is... |
| 6 | Uninvited |

## Box Office

The combined box office gross for the festival's films had surpassed ₱800 million, which was ₱200 million less than the previous edition. ABS-CBN Films' And the Breadwinner Is..., GMA Pictures' Green Bones and APT's The Kingdom are the top three earning films. Star Cinema announced that the film And the Breadwinner Is... earned ₱400 million of ticket sales, which was half the total gross of all MMFF entries.

## 2025 Manila International Film Festival

The second edition of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) was supposed to take place in the United States from January 30 to February 2, 2024 and were to feature the entry films of the 2024 MMFF and additional films. The MIFF was to take place at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires the event was postponed. On January 29, 2025, it was announced that the event was officially rescheduled for March 4–7.

### MIFF special entries

| Title | Starring | Director | Notes |
| And the Breadwinner Is... | Vice Ganda, Eugene Domingo, Gladys Reyes, Jhong Hilario, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings | Jun Robles Lana | Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, The IdeaFirst Company; 2024 family comedy-drama film |
| A Filipino in America | Doroteo B. Ines | Doroteo B. Ines | 1938 thesis film |
| Espantaho | Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino | Chito S. Roño | Produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, Purple Bunny Productions; 2024 horror film |
| Faith Healers | Zorayda Lee-Llacer, Randy Lizardo, Jose Manuel Romualdez | Regina Aquino | |
| Genghis Khan | Manuel Conde | Manuel Conde | 1950 Historical drama film |
| Hello, Love, Again | Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards | Cathy Garcia-Sampana | Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, GMA Pictures; 2024 Romantic drama film |
| Love Hurts | Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose and Daniel Wu | Jonathan Eusebio | Produced by 87North Productions; Action comedy film. Advanced screening |
| My Future You | Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin | Crisanto Aquino | Produced by Regal Entertainment; 2024 Romantic comedy film |
| Nurse Unseen | Aveline Abiog, Meriden Angeles and Steve Angeles | Michele Josue | Documentary film |
| Song of the Fireflies | Morissette and Rachel Alejandro | King Palisoc | Produced by Culturtain Musicat Productions; Drama, Musical film |
| Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital | Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon, Alexa Miro | Kerwin Go | Produced by Reality MM Studios; 2024 horror film |
| The Debut | Dante Basco, Tirso Cruz III and Eddie Garcia | Gene Cajayon | Produced by 5 Card Productions; 2000 drama film |
| The Kingdom | Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual | Michael Tuviera | Produced by APT Entertainment, Mzet Productions, MQuest Ventures; 2024 Action, family, drama film |
| Topakk | Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Enchong Dee, Kokoy de Santos | Richard Somes | Produced by Nathan Studios, Strawdog Studios, FUSEE; 2024 action thriller film |

### Awards

The Award Gala was held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on March 7, 2025.
* Best Picture – Song of the Fireflies
* Best Director – Cristanto Aquino (My Future You)
* Best Actor – Seth Fedelin (My Future You)
* Best Actress – Morissette (Song of the Fireflies)
* Best Supporting Actor – Noel Comia Jr. (Song of the Fireflies)
* Best Supporting Actress – Rachel Alejandro (Song of the Fireflies)
* Box Office Hit Award – Hello, Love, Again
* Visionary Award – Liza Araneta Marcos
* Trailblazer Awards – Tia Carrere, Nico Santos, Oliver T'sien, and The Debut
* Lifetime Achievement Awards – Boots Anson-Roa, Ricky Lee, Lily Monteverde, and Vilma Santos
* Special Awards – Song of the Fireflies and Faith Healers