2021 Metro Manila Film Festival

Annual Philippine Festival edition

2021 Metro Manila Film Festival
47th Metro Manila Film FestivalAwards| Gabi ng Parangal (transl. Awards Night)

|

No. of films| 8
Festival date| December 25, 2021 (2021-12-25) to January 7, 2022 (2022-01-07)
MMFF chronology

48th ed.

46th ed.

The 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 47th edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. It is organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It was the second of the two editions to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

## Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]

The 2021 film festival was held to live audiences in cinemas after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed.[1][2] Entries in the 2020 edition were made available through online streaming since cinemas were closed and not allowed to operate (with the exception of select cinemas in areas on Level 3).

Only around 300 movie theaters were allowed to screen, down from the usual 900. Many cinemas were left deteriorated due to being unused for the past two years due to the pandemic-related closures. Theaters were only allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity with only those vaccinated allowed to be admitted and food and drinks are prohibited (on Alert Level 2 and 3 areas) This is compounded by the impact of Typhoon Rai (Odette) which caused major power disruption in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.[3][4]

## Entries

[edit]

### Feature films

[edit]

The number of entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival returned to eight for the 2021 edition.[1] Unlike the previous edition, the number of entries were temporarily expanded to ten since the 2020 edition was held virtually.[5] The deadline for entries was set on October 31, 2021.[6] There were 19 film submissions.[1][7] The eight entries were announced on November 12, 2021.[1]

Title | Starring | Production company | Director | Genre

|
|
|
|

A Hard Day | Dingdong Dantes, John Arcilla | Viva Films and AgostoDos Pictures | Lawrence Fajardo | Action
Big Night! | Christian Bables | Cignal Entertainment, The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films, Quantum Films | Jun Lana | Black Comedy
Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw | Rita Daniela, Ken Chan | Heaven's Best Entertainment | Louie Ignacio | Romance, Comedy
Huwag Kang Lalabas | Kim Chiu, Aiko Melendez, Beauty Gonzalez | Obra Cinema, Cineko Productions | Adolfo Alix Jr. | Horror, Anthology
Kun Maupay Man it Panahon | Charo Santos-Concio, Daniel Padilla, Rans Rifol | Globe Studios, Black Sheep Productions, Dreamscape Entertainment | Carlo Francisco Manatad | Drama
Love at First Stream | Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, Anthony Jennings | ABS-CBN Film Productions | Cathy Garcia-Molina | Romantic, Comedy
Nelia | Winwyn Marquez, Raymond Bagatsing, Ali Forbes | A and Q Production Films | Lester Dimaranan | Suspense, Drama
The Exorsis | Toni Gonzaga, Alex Gonzaga | TINCAN, Viva Films | Fifth Solomon | Horror, Comedy

### Short films

[edit]

The MMFF, in partnership with Meta Philippines, launched the Facebook Creator Exhibition. Five short films by content creators, produced with the theme "lockdown", was made available for streaming on Facebook under the exhibition.[8][9]

Title | Content creator

|

Let It Simmer | Erwan Heussaff / The Fat Kid Inside Studios / FEATR.
Kandado
(transl. Locked) | Pio Balbuena
Dito Ka Lang
(transl. Stay here) | Beverly Cumla
Then and Now | Discover MNL
Pepe sa Lockdown
(transl. Pepe in Lockdown) | Rayn Brizuela / PGAG

## Parade of Stars

[edit]

The Parade of Stars for the 2021 MMFF is a fluvial parade instead of the traditional motorcade; which is a first in the history of the film festival.[10] Consequentially, ferry boats were used instead of floats on land-based motor vehicles.[11] The event was held on December 19, 2021, despite rainy weather.[12] The route covered the Pasig River and the cities of Makati and Pasig. This was done as a means to promote the Pasig River Ferry Service, which is operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).[13]

## Awards

[edit]

2021 Metro Manila Film Festival
Gabi ng Parangal

Date| December 27, 2021 (2021-12-27)
Site| Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig
Hosted by| Giselle Sanchez
Highlights
Best Picture| Big Night!
Best Director| Jun Lana
(Big Night!)
Best Actor| Christian Bables
(Big Night!)
Best Actress| Charo Santos-Concio
(Kun Maupay Man it Panahon)
Most awards| Big Night! (8)

* ← 46th ed.
* Metro Manila Film Festival
* 48th ed. →

The Gabi ng Parangal (transl. Awards Night) of the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival was held at the Samsung Hall of the SM Aura Premier in Taguig on December 27, 2021.[14] The awards night was hosted by Giselle Sanchez.[15]

The jury includes Manet Dayrit, Congresswoman Aloy Lim, and Senator Bong Go.[15]

### Major awards

[edit]

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Nominations are also listed if applicable.[16][17][18][19][20][21]

Best Picture | Best Director

|

* Big Night! – Cignal Entertainment, The IdeaFirst Company‡
* Kun Maupay Man it Panahon – Globe Studios, Black Sheep Productions (2nd Best Picture)
* A Hard Day – Viva Films (3rd Best Picture)

* Jun Lana – Big Night!‡
* Carlo Francisco Manatad – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon
* Lawrence Fajardo – A Hard Day

Best Actor | Best Actress

* Christian Bables – Big Night!‡
* Daniel Padilla – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon
* Dingdong Dantes – A Hard Day

* Charo Santos-Concio – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡
* Daniela Stranner – Love at First Stream
* Alex Gonzaga – The Exorsis
* Elizabeth Oropesa – Huwag Kang Lalabas

Best Supporting Actor | Best Supporting Actress

* John Arcilla – Big Night!‡
* John Arcilla – A Hard Day
* Nico Antonio – Big Night!

* Rans Rifol – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡
* Eugene Domingo – Big Night!
* Janice de Belen – Big Night!

Best Screenplay | Best Cinematography

* Jun Lana – Big Night!‡

* Carlo Mendoza – Big Night!‡
* Jun Aves – A Hard Day
* Teck Siang Lim – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon

Best Production Design | Best Editing

* Juan Manuel Alcazaren – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡
* Maolen Fadul – Big Night!
* Norico Santos – Love at First Stream

* Lawrence Fajardo – A Hard Day‡
* Benjamin Tolentino – Big Night!
* Marya Ignacio – Love at First Stream

Best Sound | Best Original Theme Song

* Albert Michael Idioma – A Hard Day‡
* Emmanuel Verona – Big Night!
* Roman Dymny – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon

* "Umulan Man O Umaraw" from Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw – Written by Louie Ignacio‡
* "Huwag Kang Lalabas" from Huwag Kang Lalabas – Written by Bryan Lao
* "No Stopping You" from Love at First Stream – Written by SB19
* "Sa Susunod na Ikot ng Mundo" from Nelia – Written by Kris Lawrence

Best Musical Score | Best Visual Effects

* Teresa Barrozo – Big Night!‡
* Peter Legaste and Raphael Catap – A Hard Day
* Andrew Florentino – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon

* Ogie Tiglao – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡
* Nickl Entertainment Corporation – Love at First Stream

Best Float | Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award

* Huwag Kang Lalabas‡
* Big Night!
* Nelia

* Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡

Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence | Special Jury Prize

* A Hard Day‡

* Daniel Padilla – Kun Maupay Man it Panahon‡

Gender Sensitivity Award

* Big Night!‡
* The Exorsis
* Kun Maupay Man it Panahon

#### Other awards

[edit]

* Natatanging Gawad MMFF – Danilo Lim and Bienvenido Lumbera
* Manay Ichu Vera-Perez Maceda Memorial Award – Rosa Rosal

### Short Film category

[edit]

* Special Jury Prize – Kandado of Pio Balbuena

### Multiple awards

[edit]

Awards  | Film

|

8  | Big Night!
7  | Kun Maupay Man it Panahon
4  | A Hard Day

### Multiple nominations

[edit]

Nominations  | Film

|

15  | Big Night!
13  | Kun Maupay Man it Panahon
9  | A Hard Day
6  | Love at First Stream[a]
3  | Huwag Kang Lalabas
2  | The Exorsis
Nelia

## Box office gross

[edit]

No official figures have been released. MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer dispute claims that the 2021 MMFF has underperformed box office due to rise of COVID-19, the limit of age, the controversy by the delaying of big blockbusters with Spider-Man: No Way Home, the lackluster of strategy, the higher price ticket, and looking for child-friendly films citing that the opening day of 2021 MMFF earned a third of the total box office gross of the online 2020 MMFF edition. He claimed that the film festival entries were able to surpass the Philippine domestic gross of Hollywood films such as Eternals and the No Time to Die.[22][23] By December 29, Ferrer said that the box office gross of the 2021 MMFF has already surpassed the earnings of the previous edition.[24] Ferrer stated the earnings of the 2020 MMFF to be less than ₱50 million.[25]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The film was also nominated for the Best Picture.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "MMFF 2021: 8 official entries named". ABS-CBN News. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
2. ^ Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (November 11, 2021). "100% cinema capacity eyed for MMFF 2021; list of unofficial entries". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
3. ^ Soliman, Michelle Anne (December 23, 2021). "MMFF returns to the big screen". BusinessWorld. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
4. ^ Rula, Gorgy (December 23, 2021). "MMFF movies apektado ng Odette!" [MMMF movies affected by (Typhoon) Odette!]. Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
5. ^ "Paulo Avelino's 'Fan Girl' joins 9 other films in 2020 MMFF". ABS–CBN News. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
6. ^ Nardo, Jun (October 20, 2021). "MMFF 2021, tahimik pa". Pang Masa (in Filipino). Retrieved November 12, 2021.
7. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick. "8 Metro Manila Film Festival 2021 official entries revealed". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
8. ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci (December 27, 2021). "Filipinos urged to support MMFF films amid reports of low turnout of moviegoers on opening weekend". Interaksyon. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
9. ^ "MMFF launches short films by creators on Facebook". BusinessWorld. December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
10. ^ PEP Troika. "MMFF 2021 Fluvial Parade of Stars, tuloy na tuloy na". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
11. ^ "Instead of floats, 8 ferry boats wow at the MMFF 2021's fluvial Parade of Stars". GMA News. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
12. ^ Policarpio, Allan (December 20, 2021). "Fans join MMFF's fluvial Parade of Stars despite rain". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
13. ^ Guzman, Jimmyley. "Parade of Stars to also highlight beauty of Pasig River". PIA. Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
14. ^ "Winners All: The 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal". Manila Bulletin. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
15. ^ a b Gabinete, Jojo (December 28, 2021). "Charo Santos at John Arcilla, di nakadalo sa MMFF 2021 Gabi ng Parangal" [Charo Santos and John Arcilla were not able to attend the MMFF 2021 Awards Night]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
16. ^ "'Big Night!' takes the spotlight at 2021 MMFF awards night". CNN Philippines. December 27, 2021. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
17. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (December 27, 2021). "Christian Bables, Charo Santos win top acting awards in MMFF 2021; Big Night! wins Best Picture". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
18. ^ "Rita Daniela, Toni Gonzaga, Winwyn Marquez, Huwag Kang Lalabas lead stars inisnab ng MMFF 2021 jury". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
19. ^ Dumaual, Miguel (December 28, 2021). "Which John Arcilla won? The momentary confusion over the MMFF best supporting actor award, explained". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
20. ^ Sanchez, Giselle (December 28, 2021). "GOSSIP GIRL: Charo, Daniel, Christian win big at 2021 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
21. ^ "LOOK: 'Love at First Stream' holds blue-carpet screening after 6 MMFF nominations". ABS-CBN News. December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
22. ^ "MMFF spokesperson refutes festival's alleged box office failure". Manila Bulletin. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
23. ^ "MMFF 2021 shouldn't be compared to pre-pandemic box-office returns". The Philippine Star (in English and Filipino). January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
24. ^ "Best Picture winners ng MMFF 2021, lumakas sa takilya? Daniel Padilla, nagpasalamat sa nakamit na Jury Prize Award". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
25. ^ "MMFF returns to the big screen". BusinessWorld. December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.

Preceded by

2020 Metro Manila Film Festival

|  Metro Manila Film Festival
2021  | Succeeded by

2022 Metro Manila Film Festival

|
|

* v
* t
* e

Metro Manila Film Festival

* Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

By year|

* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Merit awards|

* Best Picture
* Best Director
* Best Actor
* Best Actress
* Best Supporting Actor
* Best Supporting Actress
* Best Child Performer
* Best Screenplay
* Best Original Story
* Best Cinematography
* Best Editing
* Best Musical Score
* Best Original Theme Song
* Best Production Design
* Best Sound Engineering
* Best Visual Effects
* Best Make-up Artist
* Most Gender-Sensitive Film
* Best Float

Special awards|

* Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
* Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence

Short film awards|

* Best Short Film
* Special Jury Prize
* Best Director
* Best Screenplay

Spin-offs|

* Summer Film Festival
* 2020
* 2023

Best Picture

1975–2000|

* Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw Na Lupa (1975)
* Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
* Burlesk Queen (1977)
* Atsay (1978)
* Kasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayan tied with Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979)
* Taga sa Panahon (1980)
* Kisapmata (1981)
* Himala (1982)
* Karnal (1983)
* Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)
* Paradise Inn (1985)
* Halimaw sa Banga (only the 3rd Best Picture was announced) (1986)
* Olongapo, The Great American Dream (1987)
* Patrolman (1988)
* Imortal (1989)
* Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990)
* Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991)
* Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang (1992)
* Kung Mawawala Ka Pa (1993)
* no winner (1994)
* Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995)
* Magic Temple (1996)
* Nasaan ang Puso (1997)
* José Rizal (1998)
* Muro-Ami (1999)
* Tanging Yaman (2000)

2001–present|

* Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)
* Mano Po (2002)
* Crying Ladies (2003)
* Mano Po III: My Love (2004)
* Blue Moon (2005)
* Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On (2006)
* Resiklo (2007)
* Baler (2008)
* Ang Panday (2009)
* Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!) (2010)
* Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (2011)
* One More Try (2012)
* 10,000 Hours (2013)
* Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo (2014)
* Walang Forever (2015)
* Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)
* Ang Larawan (2017)
* Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
* Mindanao (2019)
* Fan Girl (2020)
* Big Night! (2021)
* Deleter (2022)
* Firefly (2023)
* Green Bones (2024)

Best Director

1975–2000|

* Augusto Buenaventura (1975)
* Eddie Romero (1976)
* Celso Ad. Castillo (1977)
* Eddie Garcia (1978)
* Lino Brocka (1979)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1980)
* Mike De Leon (1981)
* Ishmael Bernal (1982)
* Willie Milan (1983)
* Mario O'Hara (1984)
* Lino Brocka (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Artemio Marquez (1987)
* Laurice Guillen (1988)
* Eddie Garcia (1989)
* Gil Portes (1990)
* Elwood Perez (1991)
* Ike Jarlego, Jr. (1992)
* Jose Javier Reyes (1993)
* No winner (1994)
* Joel Lamangan (1995)
* Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes (1996)
* Chito S. Roño (1997)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1998)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1999)
* Laurice Guillen (2000)

2001–present|

* Chito S. Roño (2001)
* Joel Lamangan (2002)
* Mark Meily (2003)
* Cesar Montano (2004)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2005)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2006)
* Cesar Apolinario (2007)
* Mark Meily (2008)
* Joel Lamangan (2009)
* Wenn V. Deramas (2010)
* Tikoy Aguiluz (2011)
* Brillante Mendoza (2012)
* Joyce Bernal (2013)
* Dan Villegas (2014)
* Erik Matti (2015)
* Erik Matti (2016)
* Paul Soriano (2017)
* Joel Lamangan (2018)
* Brillante Mendoza (2019)
* Antoinette Jadaone (2020)
* Jun Lana (2021)
* Mikhail Red (2022)
* Pepe Diokno (2023)

Best Actor

1975–2000|

* Joseph Estrada (1975)
* Christopher de Leon (1976)
* Rolly Quizon (1977)
* No winner (1978)
* Raul Aragon (1979)
* Dindo Fernando (1980)
* Vic Silayan (1981)
* Christopher de Leon (1982)
* Anthony Alonzo (1983)
* Herbert Bautista (1984)
* Anthony Alonzo (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Anthony Alonzo (1987)
* Baldo Marro (1988)
* Christopher de Leon (1989)
* Dolphy (1990)
* Eric Quizon (1991)
* Aga Muhlach (1992)
* Aga Muhlach (1993)
* Roi Vinzon (1994)
* Richard Gomez (1995)
* Jomari Yllana (1996)
* Christopher de Leon (1997)
* Cesar Montano (1998)
* Christopher de Leon (1999)
* Johnny Delgado (2000)

2001–present|

* Cesar Montano (2001)
* Eddie Garcia (2002)
* Eric Quizon (2003)
* Christopher de Leon (2004)
* Marvin Agustin (2005)
* Cesar Montano (2006)
* Jinggoy Estrada (2007)
* Christopher de Leon (2008)
* Bong Revilla (2009)
* Dolphy (2010)
* Dingdong Dantes (2011)
* Dingdong Dantes (2012)
* Robin Padilla (2013)
* Derek Ramsay (2014)
* Jericho Rosales (2015)
* Paolo Ballesteros (2016)
* Derek Ramsay (2017)
* Dennis Trillo (2018)
* Allen Dizon (2019)
* Paulo Avelino (2020)
* Christian Bables (2021)
* Ian Veneracion (2022)
* Cedrick Juan (2023)

Best Actress

1975–2000|

* Charito Solis (1975)
* Hilda Koronel (1976)
* Vilma Santos (1977)
* Nora Aunor (1978)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1979)
* Nora Aunor (1979)
* Amy Austria (1980)
* Vilma Santos (1981)
* Nora Aunor (1982)
* Coney Reyes (1983)
* Nora Aunor (1984)
* Vivian Velez (1985)
* Liza Lorena (1986)
* Melanie Marquez (1987)
* Amy Austria (1988)
* Vilma Santos (1989)
* Nora Aunor (1990)
* Nora Aunor (1991)
* Gina Alajar (1992)
* Dawn Zulueta (1993)
* Kimberly Diaz (1994)
* Nora Aunor (1995)
* Amy Austria (1996)
* Maricel Soriano (1997)
* Alice Dixson (1998)
* Elizabeth Oropesa (1999)
* Gloria Romero (2000)

2001–present|

* Assunta De Rossi (2001)
* Ara Mina (2002)
* Maricel Soriano (2003)
* Vilma Santos (2004)
* Zsa Zsa Padilla (2005)
* Judy Ann Santos (2006)
* Maricel Soriano (2007)
* Anne Curtis (2008)
* Sharon Cuneta (2009)
* Ai-Ai delas Alas (2010)
* Maricel Soriano (2011)
* Nora Aunor (2012)
* Maricel Soriano (2013)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2014)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2015)
* Irma Adlawan (2016)
* Joanna Ampil (2017)
* Gloria Romero (2018)
* Judy Ann Santos (2019)
* Charlie Dizon (2020)
* Charo Santos-Concio (2021)
* Nadine Lustre (2022)
* Vilma Santos (2023)
* Judy Ann Santos (2024)

* Category

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