Student Short Film Caravan to return for MMFF’s 50th edition

FILIPINO cinephiles will soon see a new slate of official entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). 

But it is not just the new entries that Filipinos should look forward to, particularly the young generation.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chair Romando Artes announced in a press conference that they will bring back the Student Short Film Caravan for the MMFF’s 50th edition, which allows young individuals to showcase their talents in filmmaking and learn more about their craft.

“Ito po’y natigil dahil sa pandemya, kung saan nagtuturo po tayo kung paano gumawa ng short films sa mga estudyante,” Artes said.

He said that the MMDA had held three sessions for the program. He also mentioned that one participant in the Student Short Film Caravan won an international award, while others were hired by production companies.

Also making a comeback is the Student Short Film Competition which screened short films before feature films premiere in local cinemas.

Artes said that among the prizes for the competition is a certificate course about short films in China, which will be given to three Filipino students. He said that the MMDA collaborated with a Chinese film institute which will sponsor the certificate course.

They will also make a collaborative short film with other students from different countries, said Artes.

In the MMFF’s 50th edition, eight short films will be selected and shown before the official film entries premiere in cinemas nationwide. Filipino students aged 15 to 19 may participate in the program, according to the MMDA.

MMFF festival calendar

The 2024 edition will have its usual eight entries. But Artes brought up the possibility of expanding the lineup if there would be a tough competition.

“Kung sakali po maraming magagandang entries sa palagay po ng selection committee, subject to the approval ng ExeCom, puwede naman daw gawin hanggang 10,” he said.

He added that they eye 900 cinemas for the screening of the official entries.

“Kung mangyayari po yung dalawang factors na ‘yan na mas maraming sinehan ang magbubukas at magaganda po yung entries, puwede naman po nating i-expand yung official entries,” he said.

Here are the important dates to remember for the 2024 MMFF:

• May 15 (5 p.m.) – Deadline for submission of letter of intent
• June 14 (5 p.m.) – Submission of scripts and other required documents
• July 1 – Announcement of first four entries
• September 30 (5 p.m.) – Submission of finished films
• October 15 – Announcement of next four entries
• December 15 – Parade of Stars
• December 25 to January 7, 2025 – Showing of official film entries
• December 27 – Awards Night

The 2024 MMFF will be hosted by the City of Manila. Mayor Honey Lacuna said that they plan to include Tondo and other populous areas in Manila in the Parade of Stars route to allow more Filipinos to witness the annual MMFF tradition.

Meanwhile, Artes said that they are also trying to lower ticket prices for the MMFF. He said that the Metro Manila Council already passed a resolution to review the amusement tax. 

The 2023 edition of the MMFF saw many Filipino moviegoers flocking to cinemas to support local films. The MMFF reported that it earned a total of P1.069 billion in gross receipts from its 10 entries.