Sotto: Absence of mainstream films in MMFF prejudicial to moviegoers

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III has filed a resolution urging the creation of a film festival for independent movies separate from the Metro Manila Film Festival, during which families expect to be entertained and "share a good laugh."

Sotto made the proposal following the domination of independent films in the annual MMFF, after the new executive committee did away with the 50-percent allotment to “commercial viability” in the criteria used in past festivals.

He said that the absence of mainstream films in the MMFF was “prejudicial to the regular MMFF moviegoers, particularly the children.”

"[The] dominance of independent films in the 42nd MMFF stirred discussions in social media and in the movie industry," Sotto said in his proposed Senate Resolution No. 257.

"While these independent films are considered by some as 'breath of fresh air from the usual funny, fantastical storylines' and 'encourage people to think' most of the regular MMFF moviegoers are still looking for the kinds of films screened in the previous MMFFs—movies that give them a good laugh," he added.

Sotto said moviegoers, particularly children, expected to be entertained over the Christmas holidays.

"[Since] the MMFF was held during the Christmas season, is for children, and it is likewise the time when MMFF movies are being shown in the cinemas," Sotto said.

"The absence of the mainstream films in the MMFF entries for 2016 was prejudicial to the regular MMFF moviegoers, particularly the children, who always look forward to these movies to bond, enjoy, be entertained and share a good laugh with their family and friends," he added.

Sotto's resolution, if approved, would recommend to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) the establishment of a separate film festival that would give independent movies “its well-deserved spotlight.”

“Independent films must likewise be given its well-deserved spotlight – separate from the mainstream films that can take or divide the attention from them – from the public in general,” Sotto said in the resolution.

He said the contribution of the independent films could not be disregarded for the “honor” it has given the country through its numerous awards in different well-regarded international film festivals.

Sotto made the proposal following the domination of independent films in the annual MMFF, after the new executive committee did away with the 50-percent allotment to “commercial viability” in the criteria used in past festivals.

Sotto argued however that the absence of mainstream films was “prejudicial to the regular MMFF moviegoers, particularly the children.”

The senator said MMFF moviegoers are those “who always look forward to these movies to bond, enjoy, be entertained and share a good laugh with their family and friends.”

He said that the selection of mostly independent films “brushed aside” the mandate of the MMFF to promote the welfare of its workers due to the low earnings of the entries.

According to Sotto, the MMFF allots portions of its proceeds to its beneficiaries, which include the Mowel Fund, Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Film Academy of the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Optical Media Board.

MMFF ExeCom member and actress Boots Roa-Rodrigo earlier clarified that the committee did not distinguish between mainstream films and indie films when they critiqued the entries.

She said that she agreed with the notion that "film is film, no matter where it came from."

"That should be the message. Walang indie, walang mainstream. We're talking film," Roa-Rodrigo said. —NB, GMA News