The top eight out of the 33 films submitted to the first-ever summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival were bared yesterday.

The MMFF Selection Committee chose the top eight films based on the following criteria: Artistic Excellence (40%), Commercial Appeal (40%), Filipino Cultural Values (10%), and Global Appeal (10%).

Here’s the list of the official entries to the first Summer MMFF:

1. “Apag”

Producer: Center Stage Production
Director: Brillante Mendoza
Cast: Coco Martin, Lito Lapid, Jaclyn Jose, Gladys Reyes
Genre: Crime Drama

2. “Singlebells”

Producer: TINCAN
Director: Fifth Solomon
Cast: Aljur Abrenica, Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto
Genre: Romantic Comedy

3. “About Us But Not About Us”

Producer: Octoberian Films, The Ideafirst Company, Quantum Films
Director: Jun Robles Lana
Cast: Romnick Sarmenta, Elijah Canlas
Genre: Drama Thriller

4. “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”

Producer: Saranggola Media Productions Inc.
Director: Joven Tan
Cast: RK Bagatsing, Meg Imperial
Genre: Musical

5. “Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story”

Producer: MAVX Productions Inc.
Director: RC Delos Reyes
Cast: Gerald Anderson, Kylie Padilla
Genre: Drama

6. “Here Comes the Groom”

Producer: Quantum Films, CineKo Productions, Brightlight Productions
Director: Chris Martinez
Cast: Enchong Dee, Keempee De Leon, Awra Briguela, Xilohuette, Maris Racal, Kalad Karen
Genre: Comedy

7. “Yung Libro Sa Napanuod Ko”

Producer: Viva Communications Inc.
Director: Bela Padilla
Cast: Yoo Min-Gon, Bela Padilla
Genre: Romance Drama

8. “Love You Long Time”

Producer: Studio Three Sixty Inc.
Director: JP Habac
Cast: Carlo Aquino, Eisel Serrano
Genre: Romance

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and MMFF Concurrent Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes urged moviegoers to support the festival which, like its December edition, would showcase quality Filipino films in a wide array of genres, such as drama, romance, comedy, musical, and thriller.

“We are very proud that these eight official entries that we have selected are all quality films. We are hoping that the first-ever Summer MMFF would also receive the same warm support from moviegoers as the December 2022 MMFF,” said Artes.

The MMFF Selection Committee is optimistic that the lineup will encourage the public, especially millennials and Gen Z, to support the film fest despite the Holy Week.

“We believe that we have a very good mix of entries, and it reflects the reality that as many as there are varied interests among moviegoers,” MMFF Selection Committee Head Boots Anson-Rodrigo said.

The first Summer MMFF will run for an 11-day period, from 8-18 April, in all cinemas nationwide, in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

The Parade of Stars, which is set to be held in Quezon City, will take place on 2 April while the Awards Night is scheduled to take place on 11 April in New Frontier Theater.

Organized by the MMDA, the MMFF is primarily to promote and enhance the preservation of Philippine Cinema.

Proceeds from the film fest will go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry, including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc., Motion Picture and Anti-Film Piracy Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Optical Media Board.