Mobile phone filmfest brings together MMDA and MMFF

The yearly Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will have a first this year, with the introduction of a side festival for mobile-phone videos on road courtesy by students.

 

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said the film fest, dubbed the Sine-Phone Film Festival, will be a prelude to the MMFF.

 

"Set to be launched by mid-June, the MMFF Sine-Phone Filmfest will be open to high school and college students endorsed by their school principals or department heads. Entries that have passed an initial selection process shall consist of three- to five-minute films shot using cellphone cameras," the MMDA said.

 

"It's not just about commercial films. Last year, we implemented the 'New Wave' Section for independent film producers. This year, we will include students who shall participate via an accessible and affordable medium. We want to unleash the creativity and spirit of healthy competition of our youth and at the same time, instill appropriate values," Tolentino said.

 

Entries may be of any genre such as comedy, drama and horror, and will revolve around the theme "Restoring Road Courtesy Among Motorists and Pedestrians."

 

The entries should also depict values such as courtesy, discipline and respect, the MMDA said.

 

For this year, the MMDA will accept 60 entries, 20 each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

 

Applicants will be selected on the basis of scripts submitted to the MMFF Sine-Phone Filmfest Committee. Once the 60 winning scripts are announced, the selected applicants can start producing their entries.

 

Three winning entries, one from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao shall be announced and awarded cash prizes during the Metro Manila Filmfest Awards Night held every last week of December. 

 

"The MMFF Sine-Phone Filmfest promotes inclusive participation in the Metro Manila Filmfest," said Tolentino.

 

Entries shall be uploaded to the MMFF Facebook, Twitter and Youtube accounts. Online votes shall form part of the awarding criteria.

 

Tolentino said the Sine-Phone Filmfest mechanics once finalized, will be publicly announced and posted on the MMDA's social networking accounts. — TJD, GMA News