The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 a success, earning over ₱700 million despite falling short of last year’s higher gross sales.
In an interview on Dos Por Dos on Friday, MMDA Chairman Rolando Artes proudly stated that all the films featured in this year’s MMFF showcased world-class quality. However, he admitted that film producers had informed him before the festival that it might not surpass the gross sales of previous years.
"Before po nag-start yung festival, sinabihan po ako ng mga producers ng cinemas na more likely hindi namin masusurpass 'yun pong nakaraang taon dahil po ang dami po kasing mga pelikula na naipalabas ngayong taon na 'to na nag-hit. Kasama na po diyan yung 'Hello, Love, Again' na ₱1.6 billion ang kinita," Artes shared, adding that viewers now have tighter budgets.
Artes noted that MMFF films in 2023 achieved higher earnings because there were fewer competing blockbuster movies locally and internationally.
"Masasabi ko pa rin po na highly successful pa rin despite yung mga factors na ganyan, maganda pa rin po yung gross sales," Artes emphasized.
He added that the ₱700 million in gross sales might still reach ₱800 million, which would match the earnings in 2022, as more viewers are expected to visit cinemas in the coming weekends.
It can be recalled that the MMDA earlier announced an extension of the festival’s run in cinemas, from January 7 to January 14.
The MMDA expressed hope that Filipinos would continue to support the films throughout the extended period.
