by: ALAINE ALLANIGUE

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Selection Committee of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival announced the first four (4) official entries for this year.

The Selection Committee headed by the multi-awarded and much respected leaders of the film industry Boots Anson-Roa Rodrigo and Jesse Ejercito as chair and vice chair respectively, chose the top 4 scripts based on the following criteria: Artistic Excellence - 40%, Commercial Appeal - 40%, Filipino Cultural Sensibility - 10% and Global Appeal - 10%.

The first 4 MMFF 2022 official entries based on script submission are:

1. LABYU WITH AN ACCENT by ABS-CBN Film Productions

Director: Rodel Nacianceno

Scriptwriter: Patrick Valencia

Starring: Coco Martin and Jodi Sta. Maria

2. NANANAHIMIK ANG GABI by Rein Entertainment Productions

Director & Scriptwriter: Shugo Praico

Starring: Ian Veneracion, Mon Confiado and Heaven Peralejo

3. PARTNERS IN CRIME by ABS-CBN Film Productions

Director: Cathy Garcia-Molina

Scriptwriter: Enrico C. Santos

Starring: Vice Ganda and Ivana Alawi

4. THE TEACHER by TEN17P

Director: Paul Soriano

Scriptwriter: Emma Villa

Starring: Joey De Leon and Toni Gonzaga

Organizers said, the deadline for the finished film submission (where the other 4 official MMFF entries shall be chosen) shall be on Sept 2 (for early bird submission) and Sept 30 (regular submission).

MMFF, now on its 48th year is the biggest, most popular and the widely supported and anticipated film festival in the country. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)