The Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines (MMFF-P) is the annual film festival held in Manila. The festival, which runs from the 25th of December to the first week of January, focuses on locally-produced films.

The MMFF was established in the year 1975, during which Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa (Water the Thirsty Earth with Fog) by Augusto Buenaventura won the best film award.

During the course of the festival, no foreign movies are shown across the Philippines (except for 3D theaters and IMAX theaters). Moreover, only films approved by the jurors of the MMFF will be shown.

Features of the Festival

One of the festival highlights is the parade of floats during the opening of the festival. The floats, each one representing a movie entry for the festival, parade down Roxas Boulevard, while the stars of films ride on them. On the awards night, the Best Float award is also announced, together with the major acting awards.

Major Awards

• Best Picture Winners
• Best Actress Winners
• Best Actor Winners
• Best Supporting Actress Winners
• Best Supporting Actor Winners
• Best Director Winners

Others

• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematography   
• Best Sound Engineering
• Best Editing
• Best Music
• Best Story

The First Metro Manila Film Festival in 1975

The First Metro Manila Film Festival was held September 21, 1975. Known then as the 1975 Metropolitan Film Festival, the Filmfest was held September 21, 1975 to commemorate the third anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. JE’s "Dilingin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa" won the Best Picture award. Joseph Estrada (for Diligin) and Charito Solis (for Araw-Araw, Gabi-gabi) won the Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. Nora Aunor's entry, NV Productions’ Batu-Bato sa Langit (directed by Luciano B. Carlos), was a hit and won as a 3rd Best Picture. Vilma Santos, on the other hand, gave a notable performance in Roma Films' Karugtong ang Kahapon.

That time, Nora and Vilma were in their peak, their career and the movies they made were being followed closely, compared, watched, praised, scrutinized both by fans and critics. Their storied and fierce rivalry dominated our movie industry for years. In fact, one could argue that even to this day, a Filipino movie fan is either a Noranian or a Vilmanian.

First Entries

 

Title of Movie	Starring	Studio	Director
Alat!	Tonny Ferrer, George Estregan, Chanda Romero, Suzanne Gonzales	Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions	Pierre Salas
Araw-Araw Gabi-Gabi	Charito Solis, Tony Santos Sr., Rosanna Ortiz, Dindo Fernando	Premiere Productions	Danilo Cabreira
Batu Bato sa Langit (Ang tamaa'y huwag magagalit...)	Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon	N.V. Productions	Luciano B. Carlos
Diligin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa	Joseph Estrada, Gloria Diaz	JE Productions	Augusto Buenaventura
Kapitan Kulas	Ramon Revilla, Elizabeth Oropesa, Helen Gamboa, Walter Navarro	Lea Productions	Romy Suzara
Karugtong Ang Kahapon	Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez	Roma Films	Fely Crisostomo
Postcards from China	Dante Rivero, Boots Anson Roa, Pilar Pilapil	Lyra Ventures	Cesar Gallardo
Siya'y Umalis, Siya'y Dumating	Marlene Dauden, Nestor de Villa	Mirick Films	Mitos Villarreal

 

Trivia

Here are the names of people who won and received an award during the first celebration of the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1975.

• Best Picture Winner - Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa
• Best Actress Winner - Charito Solis (Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi)
• Best Actor Winner - Joseph Estrada (Diligan Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa)
• Best Supporting Actress Winner - Nida Blanca (Batu- Bato sa langit)
• Best Supporting Actor Winner - Vic Silayan (Diligan Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa)
• Best Director Winner - Augusto Buenaventura (Diligin mo ng hamog ang uhaw na lupa)
• Best Screenplay - Luciano Carlos (Batu-Bato sa Langit)
• Best Cinematography - Nonong Rasca (Kapitan Kulas)
• Best Sound Engineering - Diligin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa
• Best Editing - Edgardo Vinarao (Diligin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa)
• Best Music - George Canseco (Batu-Bato sa Langit)
• Best Story - Ophelia San Juan (Kapitan Kulas)