Film directors Raymond Red and Jun Lana expressed frustration over the alleged selling of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) complimentary passes, saying it undermines efforts to make films accessible to those who cannot afford tickets.
“This news is sad; this further hurts the movie industry that we are struggling to uplift through the hard work poured into these official entry films,” Red said.
Lana added that the passes should have been distributed to viewers without means rather than being exploited for profit.
“Sana pinamigay nang libre sa mga walang kakayahang manood ng sine. Pero kung pagmumulan lang ng korupsyon, itigil na yang pamumudmod ng passes. Ginagamit lang yang ‘pamasko’ ng mga taong wala namang mahalagang ambag sa industriya,” he said.
The directors’ films, Manila’s Finest and Call Me Mother, are part of the 2025 MMFF lineup.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) previously warned that MMFF complimentary passes are “strictly not for sale” and urged the public to verify the authenticity of tickets before purchase.