The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) returns for its 51st edition, and the eight official entries have just been revealed. This year’s theme: “MMFF 51: A New Era for Philippine Cinema.”
Here’s the full lineup of films set to premiere nationwide starting December 25, 2025.
2025 MMFF OFFICIAL ENTRIES
- Call Me Mother — starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre; directed by Jun Lana for Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company and VIVA Films.
- Rekonek — starring the Legaspi family (Zoren, Carmina, Mavy and Cassy), Andrea Brillantes, Bela Padilla and Gerald Anderson; directed by Jade Castro for Reality MM Studios.
- Manila’s Finest — starring Piolo Pascual, Enrique Gil, Joey Marquez, Romnick Sarmenta and Ariel Rivera; directed by Raymond Red for MQuest Ventures, Cignal and Spring Films.
- Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins — starring Richard Gutierrez, Ivana Alawi, Carla Abellana, Janice de Belen, Manilyn Reynes among others; directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman and Ian Loreños for Regal Entertainment.
- I’mPerfect — starring Earl Amaba and Krystel Go; directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo for Nathan Studios.
- Love You So Bad — starring Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera and Will Ashley; directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar for Star Cinema, GMA Pictures and Regal Entertainment.
- UnMarry — starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo; directed by Jeffrey Jeturian for Quantum Films.
- Bar Boys After School — starring Rocco Nacino, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano and Ms. Odette Khan; directed by Kip Oebanda for 901 Studios.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S MMFF
For the first time, the launching festivities of MMFF are being held in Makati City — marking a new chapter for the festival.
The opening batch (first four) was announced on July 8, 2025, selected from 23 submitted scripts.
The final four entries — finished films submitted before the extended deadline — were unveiled on October 10, 2025.
The festival will begin screening on Christmas Day, December 25.
Before that, brace for the exciting Parade of the Stars on December 19, 2025 in Makati — with floats and appearances from the casts of this year’s eight films.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
This year’s selection blends diverse genres — from horror and crime-thriller to romance, social drama, and youth-oriented stories.
Expect horror chills with Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, returning a classic horror franchise to the big screen.
For heart-warming and socially conscious narratives, I’mPerfect offers a romance centered around characters with Down syndrome — a step toward inclusive storytelling.
Call Me Mother and Love You So Bad aim to deliver mainstream entertainment with comedy, drama, and romance themes, giving audiences a mix of light-heart and emotion.
For action and intensity, Manila’s Finest and Bar Boys: After School deliver tension and youthful energy.
With this eclectic lineup, MMFF 2025 seems geared toward offering something for every type of moviegoer — whether you want to laugh, cry, think, or be spooked.
WHY THIS EDITION MATTERS
The theme “A New Era for Philippine Cinema” feels appropriate: by relocating the kickoff to Makati, reducing entries to eight (from the more familiar 10+ in previous years), and offering a mix of veteran and emerging talents — the festival seems to be rethinking and refining its formula.
It’s also a sign that MMFF is responding to changing times: balancing commercial appeal with storytelling variety, and dabbling in more diverse and inclusive narratives.
As movie fans gear up for the parade and the screenings, anticipation is high — for both crowd-pleasers and meaningful cinema.