Best director Erik Matti calls MMFF 'dirty'

Erik Matti dismissed his title as Best Director in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 (MMFF) as the controversy surrounding the disqualification of "Honor Thy Father" reached the House of Representatives on Monday.

In his acceptance speech, read by Shiel Calde of Reality Entertainment, "Honor Thy Father" director Matti thanked the MMFF for the free publicity and for starting the conversation about the state of the film festival he once admired.

"Mula sa pagpili niyo ng mga sineng isasali hanggang sa pagkunsinti niyo sa masahol na trato ng mga sinehan sa ibang pelikula, lalo na ng maliliit na producers, para sa isang die-hard movie fan na gaya ko, hindi ko na halos makilala ang film festival na dati kong hinangaan at nirespeto," the director said.

He added, "Sa lahat naman ng Pilipinong hindi pa rin nagsasawang manood ng mga gawa namin dito, salamat sa inyo. You deserve better. Kaya tulungan niyo naman kami. Demand for better films! Demand for more choices in the cinemas!"

Matti was less gracious when he took to social media, openly berating the MMFF and claiming that his win was probably meaningless.

Sa dumi nitong #MMFF2015 di ako naniniwala na best director ako. I'm sure di rin nila alam ano ang best directing. #RIPMMFF #MMFF2015Scandal

— Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) December 27, 2015

The MMFF's Executive Committee disqualified "Honor Thy Father" from the Best Picture category for allegedly failing to disclose to the body that it joined another film festival in November.

Before he took a Twitter break for the holidays, "My Bebe Love" director Jose Javier Reyes expressed support for Matti and "Honor Thy Father." The two have been expressing support for each other's work, with Matti even tapping AlDub Nation to help open the "septic tank" of the movie industry.

Before I sign off for the holidays, please try to catch Erik Matti's HONOR THY FATHER. John Lloyd is nothing short of brilliant! Cheers!!

— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) December 26, 2015

Tomorrow is a big day for Philippine cinema. Abangan! #ALDUBDontGiveUpOnUs pa-resbak mga #aldubbers #MMFF2015Scandal #buksanangimburnal

— Erik Matti (@ErikMatti) December 27, 2015

—AT/ALG, GMA News