The Metro Manila Film Festival is defying the coronavirus pandemic by going online this year, committee spokesperson Noel Ferrer said Thursday, October 8.
"TULOY ANG METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL 2020!" he said in an Instagram post.
“Pinakamalaking balita na magiging online na ang MMFF sa taong ito at i-aannounce sa susunod na mga araw ang magiging ka-partner ng worldwide streaming service ng mga entries ensuring that the biggest, the most popular and the longest running Filipino film festival will be happening everywhere – recreating happy traditions, and experiencing MMFF beyond-the-movies – together with the whole family,” he added.
Traditionally, MMFF opens on Christmas Day.
"Dahil sa online distribution, mas maraming Pilipino ang makakapanood ng mga pelikula," he went on. "Pero isang major na kunsiderasyon ang pag-iwas sa piracy na natugunan naman ng magiging partner ng MMFF at i-aannounce sa mga darating na araw!"
Based on his post, the MMFF has moved the deadline for finished films submissions from October 15 to November 15, while the deadline for finished movies based on approved scripts was moved from October 31 to November 30.
“This will give producers and filmmakers more time na puliduhin pa ang kanilang mga entries,” he said.
Last July, the MMFF announced the first 4 movies that will be part of this years' film festival – Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan, Magikland, The Super Praybeyt Benjamin, and The Exorcism of My Siszums.
READ: Joshua Garcia, Vice Ganda, at Toni at Alex Gonzaga maghaharap sa 2020 MMFF
The second set of films are expected to be announced this month.
Meanwhile, the summer edition of MMFF, which was scheduled to kick off last April, was postponed due to the threat of COVID-19.