QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The exhibition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 movies is extended until Sunday, January 14, to give more moviegoers a chance to watch the 10  official entries. 

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairperson and MMFF Overall Concurrent Chairperson Atty. Don Artes expressed his gratitude to the continued patronage of Filipinos to MMFF and to the cause it promotes towards the preservation of Philippine cinema. 

"We at the MMFF would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us and watched the movie entries, particularly those who requested for the MMFF movies to extend beyond its original run," said Artes. 

The theatrical run of MMFF movies is supposed to end last Sunday, January 7. However, in response to the request of numerous enthusiasts and interested moviegoers, the MMDA decided to extend the exhibition in a bid to further showcase the art of locally-produced films. 

To date, the 2023 MMFF has already earned P1 billion which is two times more than the P500 million reported earnings of the film festival in 2022. It also surpassed the first-day ticket sales of the previous MMFF. 

With the said extension, the MMDA is hopeful that the 2023 MMFF earnings will continue to increase. 

The proceeds that will be generated from the festival will primarily go to the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Film Academy of the Philippines, Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Optical Media Board, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. 

"Truly, this year's MMFF is a certified box office hit. This is a good sign as we gear up for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)," Artes noted. 

All of the 10 official entries of the MMFF 2023 will be screened at the 2024 MIFF on January 29 to February 2 in Los Angeles, California.

The lineup includes:

• A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story)
• (K)Ampon
• Penduko
• Rewind
• Becky and Badette
• Broken Heart’s Trip
• Firefly
• GomBurZa
• Mallari, and
• When I Met You in Tokyo

Moviegoers should also note that MMFF complimentary passes are valid until January 14. (JMP/PIA-NCR)