Vic Sotto airs sentiments on new MMFF ruling

MANILA, Philippines – Vic Sotto thinks the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) committee has made the wrong changes.

In March, the MMFF committee decided that instead of a script-based selection, those who want to join the festival should submit a full-length film.

Vic said, “Naiintindihan ko naman ang point. Ako'y nakikiisa sa nais nila. Kaya lang, sana ang inayos nila ay 'yong judging [kasi] nandoon ang problema, nandoon ang complaints. Hindi naman doon sa pagpili ng mga entries, wala doon, e,” Philippine Entertainment Portal reported.

The Kapuso host-actor said he understands the sentiments of director Erik Matti and his team, who protested against the MMFF after disqualifying their film “Honor Thy Father” from the best picture category.

He said that the committee should thoroughly investigated the incident, instead of changing how the entries were chosen.

In his opinion, those producers with less budget to finish a full-length film in a few months will be greatly affected by these changes.

Vic also suggested having a separate film festival for those films that aims to join international film festivals, since the MMFF is sort of a “fundraising.”

“Ang alam ko rito, ang mandato ng gobyerno dyan is fundraising,” he explained. “Kailangang kumita ng malaki, kailangan kumita ang box-office returns, kasi, diyan nanggagaling ang pera ng Mowelfund (Movie Workers Welfare Fund) para sa mga artista at mga tao sa industriya. Dyan din nanggagaling ang budget ng Film Academy, Cinema Evaluation Board, Presidential Social Fund.”

When asked if he will join this year’s MMFF, Vic said he wanted to, but with the changes in the film festival, it’ll be hard to comply due to time constraints. – Joyce Jimenez