A prequel, the inspiring story of a Moro child, a haunted amusement park, and a historic comedy team-up headline the first four official script-based entries for the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The Metro Manila Film Festival officially unveiled the first four script-based entries for its 52nd edition last July 7 in a mall in San Juan City, offering moviegoers an early glimpse of the diverse lineup that will compete in this year's Christmas film festival. The initial selections showcase a wide range of genres, from heartfelt drama and culturally rooted storytelling to supernatural horror and big-screen comedy.
Leading the first batch of official entries is 2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7, starring Aga Muhlach and directed by Nuel Naval under Viva Films. Serving as a prequel to the 2019 Filipino adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7, the film takes audiences back to the events before the beloved story unfolded, exploring the emotional journey and relationships that laid the foundation for the original movie.
Joining the lineup is AMIR, starring Argus Aspiras, Dennis Trillo, Will Ashley, and Glaiza de Castro. Directed by Zig Dulay, the film tells the story of a young Moro child and is produced by the creators of the critically acclaimed MMFF films Firefly and Green Bones. With Dulay at the helm, AMIR is expected to deliver a poignant and culturally rich narrative that celebrates identity, resilience, and hope.
Representing the horror genre is Haunted Carnival, the latest installment in Regal Entertainment Inc.'s Haunted movie franchise. Following Haunted Mansion and Haunted Forest, the newest chapter transports audiences to a mysterious carnival where terrifying secrets lurk behind the bright lights and festive attractions. Directed by Joey De Guzman, the film stars Julia Barretto and James Reid alongside Fyang Smith, John Arcilla, and Ms. Maricel Soriano, promising a chilling cinematic experience for horror fans.
Rounding out the first batch is The Greatest Showdown, a landmark comedy that marks the first-ever big-screen collaboration between noontime television icons Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the film is produced by ABS-CBN Films, Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, M-Zet, and The IdeaFirst Company. Bringing together two of Philippine entertainment's biggest comedy stars, the film is expected to be one of the festival's most highly anticipated entries, offering audiences a unique blend of humor, spectacle, and star power.
