Don't give up on Philippine Cinema

With the end of the run of the Metro Manila Film Festival this week in cinemas nationwide, much debate and discussion have been held from all stakeholders — theaters, audiences, and producers alike — about Filipino films and its future, especially in the context of our country that is still battling the pandemic and affecting our whole ecosystem.

First off, I believe that the efforts of the MMFF executive committee, the cinemas, and the producers of the entries this year have been truly commendable. MMFF presented an exclusive platform and space for Filipino films to be experienced by the Filipino audience. Bringing it back in the theaters was a glimmer of hope our industry needs while slowly getting back on our feet. And while the expected turnout will not be able to replicate the mega successes of the previous years pre-pandemic, MMFF has become a good testing ground to assess the current state of our local films being in theaters. After all, theatrical release remains the preferred premier platform of films.