Monday, January 15, 2007 Official nixes call for abolition of metro filmfest
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Sunday criticized movie producers who have suggested the abolition of the Metro Manila Film Festival [MMFF].
Fernando said instead of calling for the abolition of the annual festival, movie producers should accept the decision of the MMFF executive committee.
"They (movie producers) should think twice before calling for the abolition of the festival," he said.
Fernando was reacting to the statement of some movie producers and actors who have been castigating the decision of the MMFF executive committee to include the 40-percent criterion for gross ticket sales in the first three days of showing.
"How can they call for the abolition when they have signed for the new criteria meaning they accepted it," he said.
The best picture award went to "Enteng Kabisote 3", the only award garnered by the movie starred by Vic Sotto and Kristine Hermosa, while "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo" merely placed second despite winning major awards.
Fernando noted the great contribution to the country's film industry with the help of the local government units (LGUs) of the annual festival. He cited that on a regular film showings, only 10 to 20 percent of viewers watched locally- films preferring more of the Hollywood-produced movies.
"The MMFF has greatly help the local film industry since the taxes from these films are waived by the LGUs that are supposed to get the tax revenues," the official added.
He also lashed back at some personality who said that politicians should not have a hand in the annual festival adding that the MMFF was a brainchild of a former Manila mayor.
But he pointed out that he is only going by the decision of the executive committee, most of whom are frontrunners in the film industry in choosing the winners of certain category.
The 11-member board of jurors counts among its members who are national artists Eddie Romero and Bienvenido Lumbera. (AH/Sunnex)
