For a relatively young player in Philippine entertainment, MQuest Ventures has made a remarkable mark in the country’s biggest annual film festival — the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Since its launch as the content creation hub of MediaQuest Holdings in 2023, the company has steadily built a reputation for producing films that combine artistic ambition with cultural significance.
FROM CONTENT HUB TO FILM PRODUCER
Founded in 2023, MQuest Ventures was envisioned as a multifaceted content company that spans film and TV production, talent management, and live events. As part of the MediaQuest Group — a major media and telecommunications umbrella in the Philippines — MQuest is strategically positioned to nurture local storytelling across platforms.
Almost immediately after its inception, MQuest engaged in film collaboration that would bring it to the MMFF stage.
BREAKTHROUGH WITH “GOMBURZA” (MMFF 2023)
MQuest’s first major MMFF involvement came in 2023 with GomBurZa, a historical drama co-produced alongside the Jesuit Communications Foundation and CMB Film Services. The film tells the story of Filipino priests Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora — whose execution in 1872 became a catalytic moment in Philippine history.
GomBurZa was not only selected as an official MMFF entry, it became one of the most awarded films of the festival. It won seven awards, including Second Best Picture, Best Director for Pepe Diokno, Best Actor for Cedrick Juan, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award — a prize that recognizes films with significant cultural resonance.
This success established MQuest Ventures as a production partner capable of delivering critically acclaimed work and signaled a strong creative direction rooted in meaningful Filipino storytelling.
CONTINUING MOMENTUM WITH “THE KINGDOM” (MMFF 2024)
MQuest Ventures continued its MMFF journey in 2024 by co-producing The Kingdom with APT Entertainment and MZet Television Productions. The film — an imaginative historical drama with a stellar ensemble cast — was part of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival lineup and received wide recognition for its ambition and execution.
At the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night), The Kingdom earned five major awards, including Second Best Picture, Best Director, and the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, affirming both its artistic merit and cultural impact.
Producer Jane Basas — MQuest Ventures’ President and CEO — highlighted that this film built on the company’s vision of producing movies that “entertain but also enrich people’s appreciation of Philippine history and culture.”
LOOKING AHEAD WITH “MANILA’S FINEST” (MMFF 2025)
In 2025, MQuest Ventures returns to the MMFF with another highly anticipated entry: Manila’s Finest. Co-produced with Cignal TV, the film is a crime thriller set in 1969 Manila and directed by Raymond Red. It explores the moral and social challenges faced by a group of police officers in a changing city.
Slated to premiere on December 25, 2025, Manila’s Finest marks the company’s third consecutive festival appearance — a testament to its growing commitment to shaping Philippine cinema through diverse genres and narratives.
IMPACT AND SIGNIFICANCE
From its very first festival entry in 2023 to its latest project in 2025, MQuest Ventures has steadily strengthened its presence at the MMFF. Its approach blends commercial appeal with cultural depth, reimagining Filipino stories for modern audiences while contributing to an evolving national cinema landscape.
With GomBurZa and The Kingdom earning critical recognition and with Manila’s Finest poised for further audience engagement, MQuest Ventures’ MMFF journey reflects both ambition and a deepening connection to local storytelling — making it a company worth watching in the years to come.