LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entries

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MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) ventures into new pathways of its golden era for its 51st edition taking place this 2025.

The event is a staple of the holiday season in the Philippines, where for two weeks beginning Christmas only the festival's entries run in cinemas (save for specialized theaters like IMAX and 4DX).

Last year marked a huge milestone as the MMFF celebrated its golden anniversary by having 10 films in the main competition.

GMA Pictures' "Green Bones" was the big winner with six awards, including Best Picture, acting trophies for Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, and Best Screenplay for Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza.

"And The Breadwinner Is..." with P400 million accounted for half of the festival's total box office haul, a dip from the billion-peso take last year due to the popularity of "Rewind" starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

This year the MMFF is reverting back to eight entries as familiar faces like Vice Ganda and Piolo Pascual vie for cinematic glory.

The annual Parade of Stars will take place on December 19 in host city Makati while the Gabi ng Parangal will be on December 27.

Here are the eight entries competing at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, in alphabetical order:

"Bar Boys: After School"
Directed by Kip Oebanda
Starring Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, and Kean Cipriano
Written by Kip Oebanda, Carlos Enciso Catu, and Zig Dulay
Produced by 901 Studios
Distributed by MMFF

A direct sequel that takes place a decade after Oebanda's 2017 film as four friends — three of them lawyers — see how time impacts institutions, relationships, and individuals as well as the invisible costs of chasing one's dreams.

The supporting cast also includes Will Ashley, Glaiza de Castro, Sassa Gurl, Therese Malvar, Klarisse de Guzman, Emilio Daez, Vance Larena, Benedix Ramos, Royce Cabrera, and Odette Khan.

"Call Me Mother"
Directed by Jun Robles Lana
Starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre
Written by Jun Robles Lana, Daisy G. Cayanan, Daniel S. Saniana
Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, The IdeaFirst Company, Viva Films
Distributed by Star Cinema

A queer mother is in the process of adopting a son, and the child will become theirs within three months if no one comes to claim the kid she intends to adopt, so they plan a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.

However the child's biological mother enters the picture and forms a bond with the boy she birthed, pivoting to a dispute what it takes to be a parent.

The supporting cast includes Lucas Andalio, Brent Manalo, Mika Salamanca, Klarisse de Guzman, River Joseph, Shuvee Etrata, Esnyr Ranollo, MC Muah, Divine Tetay, John Lapus, Carmi Martin, and Chelsea Manalo.

"I'mPerfect"
Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
Starring Krystel Go and Earl Amaba
Written by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo
Produced by Nathan Studios
Distributed by Nathan Studios

In a first for Philippine cinema, two actors with Down syndrome portray two adults entering a romantic relationship.

The supporting cast includes Sylvia Sanchez, Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, Lorna Tolentino, Tonton Gutierrez, and Zaijan Jaranilla.

"Love You So Bad"
Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar
Starring Bianca de Vera, Will Ashley, and Dustin Yu
Written by Crystal Hazel S. San Miguel
Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment
Distributed by Star Cinema

Inspired by 1998's "Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita," three break-out stars from "Pinoy Big Brother" find themselves involved in a love triangle.

The supporting cast includes Dimples Romana, Agot Isidro, Ana Abad Santos, Bodjie Pascua, Desiree del Valle, Xyriel Manabat, Vince Maristela, Victor Silayan, Nour Hooshmand, and Ralph de Leon.

"Manila's Finest"
Directed by Raymond Red
Starring Piolo Pascual, Rica Peralejo, Ashtine Olviga, and Enrique Gil
Written by Michiko Yamamoto, Moira Lang, and Sherad Anthony Sanchez
Produced by Cignal TV and MQuest Ventures
Distributed by Spring Films

During the first quarter storm in late 1960s Manila, policemen are consumed by a murder case of troublemaking teenagers in the slums.

The supporting cast includes Cedrick Juan, Romnick Sarmenta, Kiko Estrada, Joey Marquez, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Soliman Cruz.

"Rekonek"
Directed by Jade Castro
Starring Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, Carmina Villaroel, Zoren Legaspi, and Gloria Diaz
Written by Jericho Aguado, Leovic Arceta, and Kat Naval
Produced by Reality MM Studios
Distributed by MMFF

The sole holiday-themed entry this edition sees six different Filipino families having to deal with a global Internet outage just as Christmas desceneds upon them.

The supporting cast includes Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, Charlie Dizon, Alexa Miro, Kelvin Miranda, Angel Guardian, and Kokoy de Santos.

"Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins"
Directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños
Starring Carla Abellana, Janice de Belen, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra, Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, and Manilyn Reynes
Written by Noreen Capili, Onay Sales-Camero, and Gina Marissa Tagasa
Produced by Regal Entertainment Inc. and Regal Multimedia Inc.
Distributed by Regal Entertainment Inc

The 17th installment in the long-running horror anthology film series will take place across three time periods: 1775, 2025, and 2050.

In the year 1775, nuns fend off an unknown evil is released in their cloister. A group of friends in 2025 attend a Halloween masquerade ball attacked by a serial killer. Post-apocalyptic Philippines in 2050 is now ruled by the aswang.

The supporting cast also includes Loisa Andalio, Ysabel Ortega, Ashley Ortega, Ara Mina, Sassa Gurl, Kaila Estrada, and Dustin Yu.

"Unmarry"
Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian
Starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo
Written by Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba
Produced by Quantum Films and Cineko Productions
Distributed by MMFF

A woman is seeking an annulment from her husband while fighting for the custody of their daughters, as a man tries to save his marriage and their son.

The supporting cast includes Tom Rodriguez, Solenn Heussaff, Donna Cariaga, KaladKaren, Angel Aquino, and Eugene Domingo.

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