The Metro Manila Film Festival returns this holiday season with a carefully curated slate of eight Filipino films, marking the event’s 51st year as a cornerstone of local cinema. Screening nationwide from December 25, 2025 until January 14, 2026, this year’s MMFF lineup reflects a wide spectrum of storytelling—from intimate family dramas and socially conscious romances to genre-defining thrillers and long-awaited sequels. United under the theme “A New Era for Philippine Cinema,”the festival once again positions Filipino filmmakers at the center of the Christmas moviegoing experience.

Here’s an in-depth look at the eight official MMFF 2025 entries that will define the season.

Call Me Mother

A tender yet sharply observed comedy-drama, Call Me Mother explores the meaning of family through an unconventional lens. Vice Ganda plays Twinkle, a devoted queer parent whose plans to legally adopt her child are complicated by the sudden return of the boy’s biological mother, portrayed by Nadine Lustre. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the film balances humor and heartbreak while confronting issues of parenthood, identity, and chosen families with sensitivity and warmth.

Rekonek

What happens when the digital world suddenly goes silent? Rekonek, directed by Jade Castro, imagines a holiday season disrupted by a global internet blackout, forcing six Filipino families to confront their fractured relationships without the comfort of screens. Anchored by an ensemble cast led by Gerald Anderson, the family drama reflects on modern disconnection, rediscovered traditions, and the emotional labor of rebuilding bonds in an increasingly online world.

Manila’s Finest

Set against the backdrop of a crime-ridden Manila during the 1970s, Manila’s Finest is a gritty period thriller that follows a principled police officer and his team as they investigate a string of brutal killings amid political unrest. Piolo Pascual leads the cast as Lt. Homer Magtibay, delivering a performance rooted in moral tension and quiet resolve. Directed by Rae Red, the film offers a brooding portrait of justice tested by corruption and chaos.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

The iconic horror franchise returns with its 17th installment, expanding its mythology across time. Evil Origins unfolds in three eras—colonial Philippines, the present day, and a dystopian future ruled by the aswang. Featuring an ensemble cast that bridges generations, the anthology reinvents familiar folklore while pushing the franchise into darker, more ambitious territory under the direction of Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños.

I’mPerfect

A rare and deeply moving love story, I’mPerfect centers on Jiro and Jessica, two adults with Down syndrome whose relationship blossoms with innocence and emotional honesty. Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, the film approaches romance, independence, and loss with grace, offering a quietly powerful narrative that challenges conventional portrayals of love and ability in Philippine cinema.

Love You So Bad

Targeting a new generation of moviegoers, Love You So Bad is a Gen Z romance that navigates desire, ambition, and self-discovery. Bianca de Vera stars as Savannah, a college senior torn between two very different men—one representing chaos, the other stability. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, the film captures the emotional volatility of youth and the difficult choices that come with growing up.

UnMarry

At the heart of UnMarry is a poignant exploration of marriage, separation, and second chances. Angelica Panganiban portrays a woman seeking annulment while fighting for custody of her children, opposite Zanjoe Marudo as a man desperate to save his family. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, the film offers a grounded, compassionate look at love’s endurance and the personal cost of letting go.

Bar Boys: After School

Revisiting the beloved characters from the 2017 hit, Bar Boys: After School asks what happens after ambition fades and adulthood sets in. Set ten years later, the sequel follows former law school friends as they confront career burnout, unrealized dreams, and the realities they never prepared for. Directed by Kip Oebanda, the film blends nostalgia with hard-earned maturity, resonating with audiences navigating life beyond their idealism.

Beyond the films, MMFF 2025 ushers in new traditions, including its first-ever Parade of Stars in Makati and a pre-festival celebrity golf tournament, signaling a refreshed approach to celebrating Philippine cinema. With awards night scheduled just days after opening, the festival promises not only box-office competition but meaningful conversations about where local storytelling is headed.

This Christmas season, the MMFF once again proves that Filipino stories—diverse, daring, and deeply human—remain at the heart of the big screen.