51st MMFF extended due to public demand

The 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has been extended until Jan. 14, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty.

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Don Artes announced.Artes said the MMFF was extended due to insistent public demand, with its post-New Year box-office grosses surpassing those of the previous year.

"After the New Year, compared to last year, the daily gross of the MMFF51 films has gone up," said Artes in an interview. "So the showing of MMFF51 films will be extended for one more week, including the use of MMFF Season Passes.

Manuel Noel Ferrer, spokesperson for MMFF, said the uptick in ticket sales is a testament to the power of positive word of mouth and the return of moviegoers from their holiday breaks, despite the festival falling short of last year's overall earnings.

"The festival's lineup has been a major draw, with seven out of eight MMFF movies reaching the eight-digit mark in gross receipts (some even surpassing it), a remarkable achievement that underscores the festival's ability to deliver films that resonate with audiences," Ferrer said.

Despite the challenges posed by filming under adverse weather conditions and natural calamities last year, the MMFF 2025 roster has produced the highest-grossing Filipino film of the year, a testament to the resilience and creativity of Filipino filmmakers, he added.