2025 Manila Film Festival
The lineup for the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), set to open in cinemas nationwide on Christmas Day, has been finalised with eight official entries spanning genres from comedy to thriller and family drama. The annual event, which excludes foreign films from Philippine theatres during its run, will run from December 25, 2025, to mid-January 2026.
The MMFF Selection Committee, chaired by Boots-Anson-Rodrigo, selected the films based on artistic merit, commercial appeal, Filipino cultural sensibility, and international resonance, choosing from a slate of submissions in both script and finished form. The festival’s theme this year emphasises revitalisation and support for local cinema.
The first batch of official entries was unveiled in July at an event in Makati, marking the first time the city has hosted the film festival’s launch. Four additional films were confirmed in October, completing the roster of eight competing titles. Screenings begin nationwide on December 25, with the Parade of Stars scheduled for December 19, followed by the Gabi ng Parangal awards night on December 27.
The eight official films selected for MMFF 2025 are:
1. Call Me Mother — A comedy-drama directed by Jun Robles Lana and co-produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company and Viva Films. The film reunites Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, telling a heartfelt story around family dynamics and adoption during the holiday season.
“We wanted to bring laughter and a poignant look at modern family life to audiences this Christmas,” said a producer involved in the project.
2. Rekonek — A family drama directed by Jade Castro under Reality MM Studios. The narrative explores how several families cope with an extended internet outage ten days before Christmas, highlighting connection in an increasingly digital world.
3. Manila’s Finest — A crime thriller by acclaimed filmmaker Raymond Red, featuring Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil. Set in the late 1960s, the film focuses on a group of police officers navigating crime and duty in Manila.
4. Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins — Part of the long-running horror anthology franchise produced by Regal Entertainment, this edition features multiple directors and an ensemble cast in a series of chilling tales.
5. I’m Perfect — Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo and produced by Nathan Studios, this romance stars lead actors with Down syndrome in a narrative about love and acceptance. The film has garnered attention for its inclusive casting and sensitively told story.
“We aimed to tell a universal love story with authenticity and heart,” said Bernardo in a press interview.
6. Love You So Bad — A romantic film directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and co-produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment. The movie stars Will Ashley, Bianca De Vera, and Dustin Yu in a youthful exploration of love and identity.
7. UnMarry — A legal drama directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo as a couple navigating the emotional and legal complexities of annulment.
8. Bar Boys: After School — A sequel to the 2017 coming-of-age film Bar Boys, directed by Kip Oebanda. The ensemble piece features young stars confronting life after school in a narrative blending nostalgia with contemporary challenges.
Most entries received family-friendly ratings domestically, with many films classified under General Patronage (G) or requiring Parental Guidance (PG), making them accessible to younger audiences during the holiday season.
The MMFF has long been a cornerstone of the Philippine film industry, traditionally showcasing local productions over the Christmas period and drawing significant box office attention. Organisers said this year’s selection reflects both a celebration of established stars and a platform for diverse storytelling that resonates with Filipino viewers.
“We’re presenting a slate that honours our cinematic heritage while inviting audiences of all ages to find something meaningful at the movies this holiday,” said an MMFF committee spokesperson.
