I HAVE always been an avid fan of watching the select, high caliber film entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival. In fact, it is an established tradition to go watch at least three films in the cinema, in one day with my close friends.
I also look forward to the glitz and glamor that happens when the red carpet rolls out. It’s always fun to watch our favorite actors and actresses get all glammed up to promote their films. If not, it’s fun watching the film on its premier night together with the stars of the movie.
Regardless of the glum condition this year, I am happy to inform you all that the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival is still going to happen, but in digital form. Thankfully, these wonderful entries could be streamed through UpStream (a video on demand platform) starting December 25.
To prepare yourself, your family and your friends for the grand event, I have compiled everything you need to know to enjoy and maximize your viewing experience. Read on, take notes, and mark your calendars!
How to Register
Through the Upstream video streaming platform or app, you can enjoy watching these films here or abroad. For this year’s festival, the MMFF has partnered with the telecommunication giant, Globe as the exclusive presenter for the films.
You can see the step by step process below:
1. Go to UPSTREAM.ph/mmff
2. You can browse which among the ten films you want to reserve a ticket at.
3. Once you have decided, click the RESERVE NOW button at the bottom of each film poster.
4. Click PAY to obtain your ticket from GMovies.ph.
5. Click CREATE ACCOUNT, if you still do not have an account at GMovies. Don’t worry, it’s free.
6. Finally, the film you bought a ticket for will be available in your profile under the “My Shows” in your Gmovies account.
Tickets
The tickets are reasonably priced at P250 per film. You can purchase the tickets at the GMovies (Globe), which is among the largest online cinema ticketing platform. See sample link below:
When to Buy
The streaming tickets will be made available from December 7 onwards, for Philippine residents. Film enthusiasts all over the world could avail the tickets from December 18 onwards. As always, all the MMFF official movie entries will be available from December 25 to January 2, 2021.
Viewers from Abroad
Thankfully, viewers from abroad could easily watch the film entries they wish to watch at the comforts for their home. The process of purchasing the tickets are the same, it’s just that for international audiences, the ticket sales start a little later compared to ticket sales for viewers from the Philippines. Regardless, tickets could be purchased starting from December 18, and the films could be enjoyed from December 25.
The viewers abroad will be part of the history since this is the first time that the film festival’s entries are made available to film critics and audiences outside the Philippines while on the actual festival run. There is indeed a silver lining to everything, don’t you agree?
Line Up
The lineup for this year’s film festival is a perfect combination of all genres – from drama, family drama, romance, fantasy, horror, comedy and biopic they have it all. Here is the list of all ten official entries to the festival:
Coming Home
Fan Girl
Isa Pang Bahaghari
Magikland
Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim
Pakboys:Takusa
Suarez: The Healing Priest
Tagpuan
The Boys Foretold
The Missing
Well, what are you waiting for? Watch the trailers, rank them all and prepare to splurge some cinema money to promote and support the world class talent and artistry of the Filipinos! Make this as your gift to yourself, your family or your significant others and have a wonderful moment together.
