Photo shows long queues of moviegoers in Metro Manila cinemas during the first day of the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Christmas Day on Sunday. (MMDA photo)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Cinemas were packed with moviegoers on the first day of the 48th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on Christmas Day on Sunday, Dec. 25, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes, he was elated with the big turnout of the first day of MMFF 2022.

“Labis naming ikinagagalak ang suportang ipinamalas ng publiko sa MMFF, base sa mahahabang pila sa mga sinehan hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila kundi sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao (We are extremely elated with the support of the public to the MMFF based on the long queues at cinemas not only in Metro Manila but in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as well),” Artes said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 26.

Artes called on the public to continue supporting the film festival which will continue to be screened nationwide until January 7.

He said the resurgence of the public’s interest on local films after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of movie houses in the past two years will help the revival of the entertainment industry and the economy.

The eight competing films in this year’s edition of MMFF are “Deleter,” “Family Matters,” “Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told,” “My Father, Myself,” “Nananahimik ang Gabi,” “Partners in Crime,” “Labyu with an Accent,” and “My Teacher.”

The MMFF committee will hold the festival awards on “Gabi ng Parangal” on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. (PIA-NCR)