Firefly (2023 film)

2023 Filipino film

Firefly

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Zig Dulay
Written by| Angeli Atienza
Produced by|

* Nessa Valdellon
* Annette Gozon-Valdes
* Angeli Atienza
* Kristian Julao

Starring|

* Alessandra De Rossi
* Euwenn Mikaell

Cinematography| Neil Daza
Edited by| Benjo Ferrer
Music by| Len Calvo

Production
companies

* GMA Pictures
* GMA Public Affairs

Distributed by| GMA Pictures

Release date

* December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25) (MMFF)

Running time

| 103 minutes
Country| Philippines
Languages|

* Filipino
* Bicolano

Firefly is a 2023 Philippine fantasy film written by Angeli Atienza and directed by Zig Dulay. The film stars Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell in his theatrical debut. It was one of the entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won as Best Picture.

## Premise

[edit]

Set in 1999,[1] Firefly is told from the perspective of an adult Tonton (Dingdong Dantes) who reminisces about his childhood.[2]

A ten-year old Tonton[1] (Euwenn Mikaell) goes on a search for the "Island of Fireflies", a mystical island of Ticao[3] he learned from Elay, his mother (Alessandra De Rossi) during bedtime stories.[4][5][6]

## Cast

[edit]

* Alessandra De Rossi as Mariela "Elay" Alvaro, Tonton's kind and late mother who introduced him the fireflies
* Euwenn Mikaell as Anthony "Tonton" Alvaro, a child who learns about a mystical island of fireflies
* Dingdong Dantes as adult Tonton[7] Role is billed as a special participation.[8]
* Yayo Aguila as Carmen, a kind woman who joins the young Tonton in his journey.[9]
* Racquel Villavicencio as old Carmen
* Epy Quizon as Louie, husband of Carmen who also joins Tonton in his journey. [9]
* Jaime Fabregas as old Louie
* Cherry Pie Picache as Linda Alvaro, Tonton's protective aunt.[7]
* Lui Manansala as Old Linda
* Miguel Tanfelix as Billy, who also joined Tonton in his journey
* Gary Estrada as adult Billy
* Ysabel Ortega as Erika, who also joined Tonton in his journey
* Bernadette Allyson-Estrada as adult Erika
* Kokoy de Santos as Romnick, son of Carmen and Louie
* Max Collins as Abby, a reporter covering Firefly who interviews Tonton at the National Children Book Awards
* Juancho Trivino as Tonton's Father
* Elle Villanueva as Magayon, the fairy Elay described in her map
* Marco Masa as Billy and Erika's son

## Production

[edit]

Firefly is a film by GMA Network produced under GMA Pictures and the GMA Public Affairs. Zig Dulay was the director, while Neil Daza served as the cinematographer.[10] Angeli Atienza was the writer.[11] Firefly is the first fictional feature film production of GMA Public Affairs, which is better known for producing documentaries.[10] Glaiza de Castro and child star Raphael Landicho were originally cast as the lead roles before de Rossi and Mikaell took over their respective roles.

Principal photography was finished by August 2023, with Metro Manila and Bicol serving as filming locations.[4]

## Release

[edit]

Firefly premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.[12]

Viva Films distributed Firefly in the United Arab Emirates (Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Al Ain) beginning January 17.

The film was an entry to the Metro Manila International Film Festival in TCL Chinese 6 theaters and Directors Guild of America Complex, Los Angeles, which took place from January 30 to February 2.[13]

In the Manila International Film Festival on February 3, 2024, in Hollywood, California, Firefly captured four awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi, Best Screenplay for Angeli Atienza, and Best Director for Dulay. The Firefly team has an opportunity to create a US-based feature film co-produced by Birns & Sawyer with up to $100,000 worth of camera rental equipment. Its director Dulay, and screenwriter will each receive the latest version of Final Draft software, valued at $250.[14]

The film screened at Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) on April 18 until April 26, 2024.[15]

In April 2024, GMA Public Affairs announced the launching of a storybook that was based on the film. Written by Augie Rivera, the scriptwriter, the storybook's illustrations were drawn by Aldy Aguirre, with watercolor and gouache.[16]

## Accolades

[edit]

Accolades received by Firefly Award  | Date of ceremony  | Category  | Recipient(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2023 Metro Manila Film Festival | December 27, 2023 | Best Picture | Firefly | Won  | [17]
Best Director | Zig Dulay  | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor | Dingdong Dantes | Nominated
Epi Quizon | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress | Alessandra de Rossi  | Nominated
Best Screenplay | Angeli Atienza  | Won
Best Cinematography | Neil Daza  | Nominated
Best Production Design | Kenneth Villanueva  | Nominated
Best Child Performer | Euwenn Mikaell | Won
Gender Sensitivity Award | Firefly | Nominated
Platinum Stallion National Media Awards  | February 2024  | Director of the Year  | Zig Dulay  | Won  | [18]
Child Star of the Year  | Euwenn Mikaell  | Won
2024 Manila International Film Festival | February 2, 2024 | Best Picture  | Firefly | Won  | [19]
Best Director  | Zig Dulay  | Won
Best Supporting Actress  | Alessandra de Rossi  | Won
Best Screenplay  | Angeli Atienza  | Won
Box Office Entertainment Awards | May 12, 2024  | Movie Supporting Actress of the Year  | Alessandra De Rossi  | Won  | [20]
Most Popular Child Performer of the Year  | Euwenn Mikaell  | Won
40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | July 21, 2024  | New Movie Actress of the Year  | Ysabel Ortega  | Won  | [21]
New Cinematographer of the Year  | Neil Daza  | Won
Movie Child Performer of the Year  | Euwenn Mikaell  | Won
ContentAsia Awards  | September 5, 2024  | Best Asian Feature Film
(silver award)  | Firefly | Won  | [22]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Policarpio, Allan (October 23, 2023). "For Alessandra de Rossi, 'one take' is all it takes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
2. ^ "Firefly' all set to light up the MMFF silver screen". The Manila Times. December 16, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
3. ^ Concepcion, Pocholo (January 5, 2024). "What makes firefly shine". pep.ph. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
4. ^ a b Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (August 29, 2023). "First look at 'Firefly' movie as it wraps up taping". GMA Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
5. ^ Santiago, Ervin (October 25, 2023). "Alessandra hindi nahirapang gumanap na nanay sa MMFF entry na 'Firefly', humugot sa mga alagang bird" [Alessandra did not find portrayal in MMFF entry ‘Firefly’ difficult, drew inspiration from her pet birds]. Bandera (in Filipino). Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
6. ^ "'Firefly' unveils official movie poster". GMA News. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
7. ^ a b Severino, Howie (December 16, 2023). "'Firefly' is a movie journey full of longing". GMA News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
8. ^ Songco, Pauline (December 16, 2023). "Four cities, 10 entries: MMFF 2023 Parade of Stars draws overflow crowd". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
9. ^ a b Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (December 15, 2023). "Yayo Aguila says her 'Firefly' character is 'different' from her previous roles". GMA Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
10. ^ a b Tomada, Nathalie (December 29, 2023). "Firefly: How the MMFF underdog became the Best Picture of all". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
11. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (September 23, 2023). "Alessandra de Rossi hindi nagsisisi sa desisyon na huwag nang gawin ang role na ito" [Alessandra de Rossi does not regret decision not to accept these kind of roles]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
12. ^ "MMFF expands lineup to 10, announces 6 new entries". ABS-CBN News. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
13. ^ Yap, Jade Veronique (January 12, 2024). "Firefly:' Here's a list of UAE, California cinemas where you can watch MMFF 2023's Best Picture". GMA Integrated News.
14. ^ "'Firefly' bags top awards at Manila International Film Festival in California". GMA Integrated News. February 3, 2024.
15. ^ Yap, Jade Veronique (April 21, 2024). "'Firefly' lands on Beijing International Film Festival 2024". GMA News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
16. ^ Roque, Nika (April 5, 2024). "The 'Firefly' storybook is now up for sale". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
17. ^ Antonio, Josiah (December 27, 2023). "LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
18. ^ "GMA wins major honors at the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards". GMA Network. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
19. ^ "Here are the winners of the 2024 Manila International Film Festival's awards night". Rappler. February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
20. ^ Santiago, Erwin (May 2, 2024). "Box Office Entertainment Awards 2024: DongYan, KathDen win top honors". PEP. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
21. ^ "'Firefly' stars Euwenn Mikaell, Ysabel Ortega win big as PMPC Star Awards for Movie". GMA Network. July 22, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
22. ^ "GMA Network wins top honors at ContentAsia Awards 2024". GMA network. September 13, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Firefly at IMDb

*[Ref.]: Reference(s)