MMFF 2025 ushers a new era for Philippine cinema
For Filipino families, the holidays are not complete without the yearly Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). After all the family gatherings, watching an MMFF entry is the perfect topper to a Filipino family’s Christmas celebration.
As usual, this year’s MMFF is expected to start its run from December 25, 2025, ending in January 2026. The film festival is more than a celebration of the film and entertainment industry—it is also part of Filipino culture. Founded in 1975, the film festival is being conducted for the 51st time, proving its hallmark in Filipino tradition.
For 2025, the film festival follows the theme, “A New Era for Philippine Cinema.” MMFF 2025 aims to offer films from different genres, ensuring that at least one entry is suitable for different Filipino families.
The theme embraces new directions in the local film industry and innovates the festival’s traditions by offering more diverse stories with global appeal. While MMFF has long served as a badge of culture and tradition for Filipino families, MMFF 2025 also marks a clear transition in Philippine cinema.
A total of eight film entries
With that, there are only a total of eight entries for this year. Compared to previous years of screening, MMFF 2025 reduced the number of film entries.
While previous years featured up to 12 films, organizers focuses on representing each film properly this year. It was a conscious decision for the film festival, so they can distribute each film equally in cinemas or other platforms.
The list of entries is as follows:
- Call Me Mother, dir. Jun Robles Lana
- Manila’s Finest, dir. Raymond Red
- Rekonek, dir. Jade Castro
- Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, dir. Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, Ian Lorenos
- Love You So Bad, dir. Mae Cruz-Alviar
- Bar Boys: After School, Kip Oebanda
- Unmarry, dir. Jeffrey Jeturian
- I’mperfect, dir. Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
More than a yearly tradition, the Metro Manila Film Festival remains a reflection of how Filipino stories evolve. MMFF 2025 marks a new direction in Philippine cinema, offering films that touch Filipino hearts while reaching global standards. Starting December 25, MMFF invites you to your nearest cinema to welcome a new era.
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