MMFF Guide: How the Metro Manila Film Festival Works
Every Christmas, cinemas across the Philippines show only Filipino films. Here is how the MMFF works and how to enjoy it in Cebu and Davao.
In this article
The MMFF, or Metro Manila Film Festival, is the Philippines' biggest annual film festival. It starts on Christmas Day, December 25, and runs into early January. During the festival, cinemas across the country, not just in Metro Manila, generally screen only the official MMFF entries, so Hollywood and other foreign films take a break and local movies fill every screen.
Watching an MMFF film with family is a holiday tradition for many Filipinos, in Cebu and Davao as much as in Manila. Here is how the festival works.
MMFF at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Metro Manila Film Festival |
| When | December 25 to early January (about two weeks) |
| Where | Cinemas nationwide, including Cebu and Davao |
| Organiser | Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) with partners |
| First held | 1975 |
| What is shown | Official Filipino film entries only |
| Highlights | Parade of Stars, awards night (Gabi ng Parangal) |
How the MMFF Works
Selection of entries
Each year, a selection committee chooses the official entries from submissions by producers and studios. The number of entries and the selection process have changed over the years: some editions chose films partly based on scripts and partly on finished films, while others used different formats. Recent festivals have typically featured around eight to ten films, but this varies.
The Christmas-to-January run
The festival opens on December 25, a day when many families go to the movies after Christmas lunch. For the duration of the run, participating cinemas show only the official entries. This "exclusive" period is what makes the MMFF so important to the local film industry, because it is the season when Filipino films have the whole market to themselves.
Films that do well may be extended in cinemas after the festival ends, and some are later released on streaming platforms or shown abroad.
The Parade of Stars
Before the festival begins, a festive parade of floats carrying the stars of each entry travels through a host city in Metro Manila. It is a big public event, broadcast and widely shared online, and helps build excitement for opening day.
A Short History of the MMFF
The festival began in 1975, when it was launched as a way to promote Filipino cinema during the holiday season, a period when Hollywood films had traditionally dominated. It has been held every year since, under different names and formats at times, and is now organised with the MMDA leading.
Over the decades, the festival has been a showcase for every kind of Filipino film:
- Horror franchises such as Shake, Rattle & Roll, a long-running MMFF staple
- Family comedies and fantasy films, traditionally big earners during the holidays
- Dramas and romance films featuring top stars
- Historical and independent films, which have gained more space in some editions
In some years, organisers made a deliberate push toward more independent and critically acclaimed films. Those lineups sparked debate about the balance between box-office hits and artistic quality, a discussion that continues today.
MMFF Awards
The festival holds an awards night, the Gabi ng Parangal, during the run. Winning a major award can boost a film's ticket sales in the second week.
| Award category | What it recognises |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | Top film of the festival |
| Best Director | Outstanding direction |
| Best Actor / Best Actress | Lead performances |
| Best Supporting Actor / Actress | Supporting performances |
| Best Screenplay | Writing |
| Technical awards | Cinematography, editing, sound, production design and more |
There are often additional special awards, which can change from year to year.
Watching the MMFF in Cebu and Davao
Although "Metro Manila" is in the name, the festival is truly national. Cinemas in Cebu and Davao, mostly located in shopping malls, take part and screen the official entries throughout the run.
Tips for MMFF season in Cebu and Davao
- Expect crowds on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. These are among the busiest movie days of the year.
- Buy tickets online where your cinema allows it, or arrive early for popular screenings.
- Check schedules daily. Cinemas adjust screenings based on demand, so popular entries may get more showtimes as the festival goes on.
- Plan around mall hours. Malls often have special holiday hours around Christmas and New Year.
- Budget for tickets. Prices are approximate and vary by cinema and seat type, but regular MMFF tickets in malls are often in the range of a few hundred pesos.
Our guides to Cebu cinemas and Davao cinemas explain where to watch and how to check schedules.
Why the MMFF Matters
For the local film industry, the MMFF is the most important commercial window of the year. Studios save their biggest stars and productions for the festival, and a strong showing can define a year for a production company. For audiences, it is a chance to support Filipino stories on the big screen, often together with family.
The festival is part of a busy holiday calendar that includes Christmas, Simbang Gabi and New Year, followed in Cebu by the Sinulog Festival in January. See our festival calendar for dates.
If you enjoy local pop culture, also read our guide to P-pop groups like SB19 and BINI. For official festival announcements, check the MMDA website and the festival's official social media channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the MMFF start?
The Metro Manila Film Festival starts every year on December 25 and runs into early January, usually for about two weeks.
Are MMFF films shown in Cebu and Davao?
Yes. Despite its name, the MMFF is shown in cinemas nationwide, including malls in Cebu and Davao.
Can I watch Hollywood movies during the MMFF?
Generally not in regular cinemas, because participating cinemas screen only the official MMFF entries during the festival. Foreign films usually return after the festival ends.
When did the Metro Manila Film Festival begin?
The MMFF was first held in 1975 and has been held every year since, making it one of the longest-running film festivals in the Philippines.
Who organises the MMFF?
The festival is organised with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) leading, together with film industry representatives and partners.
