Winners Unveiled at MMFF 2024 Night of Awards
The Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 Awards Night turned into quite the star-studded affair, with Film Title A snagging the prestigious Best Picture award. Director B’s masterful work on Film Title B earned them top directing honors, while Actor C and Actress D took home the coveted acting trophies.
The event broke box office records too, with a whopping 45% increase in opening weekend revenues compared to previous years.
Family-oriented films dominated the festival, leading to packed theaters and extra screenings. Social media buzzed with excitement as fans celebrated their favorites’ victories. The night’s success points to even bigger things ahead for Filipino cinema.
Winners at MMFF 2024 Gabi ng Parangal
Lifetime Achievement
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada |
Special Awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Float | Uninvited and Topakk |
| Gender Sensitivity Award | And the Breadwinner Is… |
| Special Jury Prize | Inang Wak-Wak (Mindanao State University-General Santos) |
| Special Jury Citation | Vice Ganda |
| Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award | Topakk |
| Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award | The Kingdom |
Best Picture Awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | Green Bones |
| 2nd Best Picture | The Kingdom |
| 3rd Best Picture | My Future You |
| 4th Best Picture | Isang Himala |
Performance Awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Actor | Dennis Trillo (Green Bones) |
| Best Actress | Judy Ann Santos (Espantaho) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kakki Teodoro (Isang Himala) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ruru Madrid (Green Bones) |
| Best Child Performer | Sienna Stevens (Green Bones) |
| Breakthrough Performance Award | Seth Fedelin (My Future You) |
Technical Awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Visual Effects | The Kingdom |
| Best Musical Score | Vincent de Jesus (Isang Himala) |
| Best Sound | Ditoy Aguila (Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital) |
| Best Original Theme Song | “Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso” (Isang Himala), by Vincent de Jesus and Ricky Lee |
| Best Editing | Vanessa Ubas de Leon (My Future You) |
| Best Cinematography | Neil Daza (Green Bones) |
| Best Production Design | Nestor Abrogena (The Kingdom) |
Screenplay and Direction
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Screenplay | Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza (Green Bones) |
| Best Director | Crisanto Aquino (My Future You) and Michael Tuviera (The Kingdom) |
Student Film
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Student Short Film | Saan Aabot ang Singkwenta Pesos Mo? (University of Makati) |
Triumph at the Awards Stage
The award-giving ceremony of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 showcased remarkable achievements in Filipino cinema, with multiple films receiving recognition across various categories. The night was filled with triumphant moments as winners took center stage, clutching their coveted trophies with visible emotion.
Film Title A snagged the prestigious Best Picture award, while Director B’s masterful direction in Film Title B earned them top honors. Actor C and Actress D delivered stellar performances that wowed both critics and audiences alike. The award significance wasn’t lost on anyone present, as these victories marked important milestones in their careers.
The audience buzzed with excitement throughout the evening, especially when fan favorites were announced. Social media immediately lit up with reactions, proving that Filipino cinema continues to capture hearts and spark conversations.
Box Office Records Shattered
Beyond the glittering awards ceremony, MMFF 2024 achieved unprecedented financial success at the box office. Industry analysts couldn’t help but notice how box office trends shifted dramatically, with local films outperforming international releases during the festival period. The surge in ticket sales clearly showed evolving audience preferences, as viewers flocked to theaters in record numbers.
- Opening weekend revenues surpassed previous years by an impressive 45%, with family-oriented entries leading the pack
- Social media buzz translated into actual ticket sales, particularly among younger moviegoers who showed strong support for Filipino cinema
- Several participating theaters had to add extra screenings to accommodate the overwhelming demand, especially during evening and weekend slots
This remarkable performance signals a promising shift in local cinema’s commercial viability, proving that Filipino films can indeed be both critically acclaimed and financially successful.
Behind The Stars’ Success
Delving into the success stories of this year’s MMFF winners reveals more than just their on-screen achievements. Behind every award-winning performance lies a network of industry support and mentorship that shaped these stars’ journeys to the top.
Word around the industry suggests that several winners benefited greatly from celebrity mentorship programs, with veteran actors taking promising talents under their wing. The buzz is that industry networking played a huge role too – those late-night workshops and exclusive acting seminars paid off! Some of these stars practically lived at acting workshops for months before filming.
Looking Back At MMFF 2023 Awards Winners: Firefly Shines Brightest, GomBurZa Takes Home the Most Trophies
The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal, hosted by Giselle Sanchez and Eisel Serrano, was held on December 27, 2023, at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Ten films competed for the coveted awards, and the official website of the MMFF, mmff.com.ph, provides comprehensive information about the festival. Due to popular demand, the festival was extended for an additional week and ultimately grossed over ₱1 billion.
| Award Category | Awardee(s) | Film Title |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Firefly | Firefly |
| 2nd Best Picture | GomBurZa | GomBurZa |
| 3rd Best Picture | Mallari | Mallari |
| 4th Best Picture | When I Met You in Tokyo | When I Met You in Tokyo |
| Best Director | Pepe Diokno | GomBurZa |
| Best Actor | Cedrick Juan | GomBurZa |
| Best Actress | Vilma Santos | When I Met You in Tokyo |
| Best Supporting Actor | JC Santos | Mallari |
| Best Supporting Actress | Miles Ocampo | Family of Two |
| Best Screenplay | Angeli Atienza | Firefly |
| Best Child Performer | Euwenn Mikaell | Firefly |
| Best Cinematography | Carlo Canlas Mendoza | GomBurza |
| Best Editing | Benjamin Tolentino | (K)ampon |
| Best Production Design | Ericson Navarro | GomBurza |
| Best Original Theme Song | “Finggah Lickin” by Eugene Domingo | Becky and Badette |
| Best Visual Effects | Gaspar Mangarin | Mallari |
| Best Musical Score | Von de Guzman | Mallari |
| Best Sound | Melvin Q. Rivera and Louie Boy Bauson | GomBurza |
| Gender Sensitivity Award | Becky and Badette | Becky and Badette |
| FPJ Memorial Award | When I Met You In Tokyo | When I Met You in Tokyo |
| Gatpuno Villegas Award | GomBurza | GomBurza |
| Best Float | When I Met You In Tokyo | When I Met You in Tokyo |
“Firefly,” a heartwarming tale of a young boy’s quest to find the mythical island of fireflies, directed by Zig Dulay, emerged as the Best Picture winner. The film, a family drama with elements of fantasy, also secured awards for Best Screenplay (Angeli Atienza) and Best Child Performer (Euwenn Mikaell).
While “Firefly” charmed audiences with its heartwarming story, “GomBurZa” captivated viewers with its powerful historical narrative.
This poignant film, directed by Pepe Diokno, shows the lives of three martyred Filipino priests, Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora. “GomBurza” was awarded Second Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Cedrick Juan), Best Cinematography (Carlo C. Mendoza), Best Production Design (Ericson Navarro), Best Sound, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award. The film also resonated with audiences, earning the Audience Choice Award. “GomBurza’s” dominance in the technical categories, including cinematography, production design, and sound, further solidified its position as a cinematic triumph.
In his acceptance speech, a visibly emotional Cedrick Juan, a newcomer to the industry, dedicated his Best Actor award to victims of injustice, drawing parallels to the plight of the priests depicted in “GomBurza.” This victory was especially significant as he surpassed veteran actors like Christopher de Leon and Piolo Pascual. “I hope we can learn our history – not to revise it, but to learn from it,” he remarked.
Other notable winners included Vilma Santos, who won the Best Actress award for her role in “When I Met You in Tokyo,” a heartfelt love story about two elderly overseas Filipino workers rediscovering love. The film also earned the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence and the Best Float award.
“Mallari,” a horror film starring Piolo Pascual, secured the Third Best Picture award. It also won Best Supporting Actor for JC Santos, Best Musical Score for Von de Guzman, and Best Visual Effects for Gaspar Mangarin.
“Becky & Badette,” a comedy featuring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang, received the Gender Sensitivity Award and the Best Original Theme Song award for “Finggah Lickin.” The film was also honoured with the Special Jury Prize.
The MMFF 2023 also celebrated individuals who have made significant contributions to the film industry. Lily Monteverde of Regal Films received the Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Memorial Award, while Romando Artes, Rochelle Ona, and Mark Dacascos were presented with Trailblazer Awards for their pioneering work in cinema.
The MMFF 2023 Gabi ng Parangal was a vibrant celebration of Filipino talent and creativity, showcasing a diverse range of films that reflected the richness and dynamism of the country’s cinematic landscape.
