The 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has extended its screenings until January 14, following a surge in audience turnout after the holidays.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes affirmed that the festival remains a “success”, despite posting a huge decline in overall gross compared to last year’s festival.
According to reports, the 51st edition of MMFF fell short by P100 million in total ticket sales versus the previous edition.
However, he noted that box-office performance improved significantly after the holiday break, generating higher demand and stronger ticket sales of most of the festival’s eight official entries.
Artes also took pride in the historic milestone in this year’s MMFF box-office performance after seven out of the eight entries surpassed the eight-digit mark in gross receipts.
“Kaya ko nasabi na successful, kasi seven out of eight movies lumampas sa eight digits yung gross receipts nila, which is first time na nangyari. Nung mga previous years, isa o dalawa lang ang eight digits, tapos yung iba pababa na,” he said.
It was because of the strong post-holiday turnout that the MMDA decided to extend the festival’s theatrical run by an additional week. The MMFF was originally scheduled to end on January 7.
MMFF complimentary passes will likewise remain valid for the extended screening period.
“We’re going to extend it until January 14. Compared to last year, on a daily basis mas mataas ‘yung gross. As in mataas, malaki pa. So we’re extending it for another week,” he explained.
MMFF spokesperson, Manuel Noel Ferrer, echoed Artes’ statement, posting on Facebook, “The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2026 has shown promising signs of recovery, with post-New Year box office grosses surpassing those of the previous year. Despite falling short of last year’s overall earnings, the festival has seen an increase in audience turnout, a testament to the power of positive word-of-mouth and the return of moviegoers from their holiday breaks.”
Artes also acknowledged other factors that may have affected ticket sales, including reduced consumer spending.
“Medyo mababa ang consumer spending natin ngayon. Ang pelikula, among the priorities, hindi talaga siya priority,” the chairman pointed out.
Artes also touched on the absence of films that would cater to the youth in this year’s lineup, “Siguro, walang pambata ngayon eh. ‘Yung festival na ito, mix siya ng commercial and artistic films. Noong mga nakaraang taon, mas commercial siya. Ngayon, tumataas yung artistic value ng mga pelikula, which I think affects the commercial value.”
Addressing renewed discussions on cinema ticket prices, Artes said he believes ticket costs should remain affordable for the general public.
The MMFF said its primary goal is to appeal to producers and the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) to review and consider lowering ticket prices. The festival is also exploring options for group or family discounts.
“Ako personally, dapat hindi lalampas ng P300 ang presyo ng sine,” Artes said. “‘Yan pa pwedeng i-consider—kung halimbawa P400 yung ticket, gawin nating P600 for two, para ma-encourage lalo na yung mga families.”
“The MMFF will continue its dialogue with CEAP on how to make movie watching more accessible – and we may explore offering incentives (for volume sales or promo bundle schemes),” added Ferrer.
The issue of rising ticket prices resurfaced following a critical commentary by filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, director of MMFF entry “Call Me Mother”, who pointed out that increasing cinema costs are gradually discouraging ordinary Filipino families from going to theaters, particularly during the MMFF season.
