Vilma vs Sharon: 10 official entries to MMFF 2023 revealed

In an eagerly awaited announcement, the Metro Manila Film Festival has unveiled its official entries for 2023.

The MMFF Selection Committee finalized the selection of the remaining entries for the annual film festival from a record-high submission of 30 finished films.

The official entries are:

• Firefly (GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs), starring Alessandra de Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell, Yayo Aguila, Cherry Pie Picache, Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Max Collins, Epy Quizon and Dingdong Dantes
• Gomburza (Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc., Saranggola Productions), starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan
• When I Met You In Tokyo (JG Productions Inc.), starring Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos
• Becky and Badette (The IdeaFirst Company, Octoberian Films), starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang
• Mallari (Mentorque Productions), starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador
• Broken Hearts Trip (BMC Films), starring Christian Bables and Jaclyn Jose
• (K)ampon (Quantum Films), starring Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay
• Penduko (Sari Sari Network), starring Cristine Reyes and Matteo Guidicelli
• Rewind (Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, Agosto Dos Media), starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes
• A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story) (Cineko Productions), starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards

The earlier buzz was that the four greatest stars of contemporary Philippine cinema — Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano — would have a rare face-off at the festival with an entry each, but the final lineup shows only Santos and Cuneta's films in the list.

The 49th MMFF runs 25 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, with the awards night to be held on 27 December.