MMFF PRODUCERS HOPEFUL FOR AUDIENCE SUPPORT

EVERY YEAR, THE METRO Manila Film Festival (MMFF) provides one of the biggest platforms for Filipino films to take the spotlight. However, not all films are created equal in the eyes of cinemas and audiences.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

For entries deemed less star-powered or as underdogs due to limited cinema screenings, the fight for visibility begins long before the opening day, Dec. 25.

This year, there are 10 official entries and some 900 cinemas are reportedly open nationwide for the golden edition of the annual filmfest.

But for Nessa Valdellon, executive vice president at GMA Pictures, which produced "Green Bones," the reality is stark. "As of today, 'Green Bones' has 43 cinemas. There's very little chance of that still moving up on Dec. 25 or 26, given the cinemas decided early on which they felt would be the most saleable films," she told The STAR.

The decisions, she explained, boil down to economics. "To them, it's really a matter of star power. And since the business of running theaters is also tough, I can't blame them for the choice they made. But I do think they made a mistake."

"Green Bones" may be led by top Kapuso leading men Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, but it doesn't have the star-studded ensemble of say, "The Kingdom," "Espantaho" or "And the Breadwinner is."

Despite these challenges, Valdellon stays hopeful, describing "Green Bones" as "an even better movie than 'Firefly,'" the MMFF 2023 Best Picture that GMA Pictures also produced. The film initially had a slow start, starting with some 30 cinemas before its number doubled immediately after winning awards at the Gabi ng Parangal.

"It's tough to expect that 'Green Bones' will have the same luck as 'Firefly' as so many entries this year are strong and well-produced.

But I have to say, 'Green Bones' is an even better movie than 'Firefly,' which I already loved so much.

"It's exactly what we hoped to create: a film with a powerful and very cleanly written story, technical excellence, and values that we espouse as filmmakers," she said.

"Green Bones" fate at the cinemas could rest on audience support.