Star Cinema, OctoArts to be fined for pulling out of MMFF?

The Executive Committee of 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival might impose sanctions to film outfits/producers who withdrew their entries to the annual filmfest that starts on Christmas Day.

Among the producers facing possible sanction from the MMFF ExeCom should the proposal be approved are Star Cinema and OctoArts Films.

Star Cinema decided not to field in their entry titled "Tanging Pamilya" while OctoArts Films withdrew their entry "Short Time" to be directed by Joey Reyes.

According to Mr. Ruperto Nicdao, Manila Broadcasting Company president who is also a member of the Execom, the committee is set to talk on the proposal to impose sanctions on their next meeting. While he admitted that there is such a proposal, the item is still up for discussion and is yet to be finalized.

"There is indeed a proposal to give sanctions to producers who back out or pull out their entries. The members of the Execom feel these producers are making a mockery of the Execom and the festival itself," he said when interviewed by The FREEMAN at the presscon of the 2006 MMFF held at the Aliw Theater on Monday.

Even the plan to have seven entries opening on Christmas day, with the two other entries premiering on January 1 will also have to be discussed and agreed upon by the Execom members. While MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said that two entries will open instead on January 1, this will be tackled in a meeting to be held next week to resolve the issue.

Regal Films producer Lily Monteverde wrote a letter to ExeCom to appeal that all nine entries to the festival be shown simultaneously on December 25. The Regal matriarch said that if the showing of two entries will be deferred, the said movies might run the risk of losing money instead of earning since most moviegoers have money on Christmas Day.

"Kung sa New Year pa ipapalabas ang dalawang entries ay baka hindi na ito kumita dahil mas maraming pera ang tao pag Pasko," said Mother Lily after rumors floated that two of her entries were picked or singled out to open on January 1.