The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) was extended until January 14 following public clamor, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and MMFF chairman Romando Artes.

Artes shared that his agency received requests on social media platforms seeking to extend the MMFF 2023 that was supposed to end yesterday, January 7.

"We at the MMFF would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us and watched the movie entries, particularly those who requested for the MMFF movies to extend beyond its original run," the MMDA chair said.

"Marami pong salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtangkilik. Moviegoers, may mga karagdagang araw pa para panoorin lahat ng MMFF entries," he added.

Artes also shared that the 49th MMFF was a “certified box office hit” after its gross receipts reached P1 billion, exceeding 2022’s record of P500 million earnings.

"Truly, MMFF 2023 is a certified box office hit. This is a good sign as we gear up for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)," he said.

The 10 official entries are set to be screened in Los Angeles, California from January 29 to February 2 during the launching of the inaugural Melbourne International Film FestivalMIFF) on January 29 to February 2, 2024.