WE CAN’T HELP but applaud the people behind this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for stepping up and offering a genuinely great lineup for the 2016 festival.

At last, the MMFF found the nerve to move away from the usual trash offered up by the big film outfits. We don’t think the selection committee left out big-star vehicles like Vic Sotto‘s Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers, Vice Ganda‘s Parental Guardians, and Richard Yap‘s Mano Po 7 on purpose — more likely, those films simply didn’t measure up to the quality of what made the cut. For years, we’ve complained about the mediocre films starring Sotto, Vice, and Kris Aquino, among others, plus the offerings from Lily Monteverde’s Regal Films. Outside of the ad placements, films like these tend to be thin, below average, and made mainly to cash in on the viewing public. It’s about time MMFF moviegoers got real, good films that still carry mass appeal.

The recent comments from these stars, and from Monteverde herself, came as no surprise. As we all know, these outfits count on star power to cash in during MMFF season, when cinemas offer nothing but the eight competing films.

While others argue over indie versus commercial films and what the Filipino audience really wants, we at Ely’s Planet, along with a whole lot of moviegoers, are thrilled. At last, we’re getting the films we deserve.

Whoever thinks this year’s entries aren’t suited for Filipino audiences is underestimating our ability to think and appreciate good films. Kudos to MMFF!

MMFF 2016 entries include ‘Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2,’ ‘Saving Sally,’ ‘Die Beautiful,’ ‘Kabisera,’ ‘Oro,’ ‘Seklusyon,’ ‘Sunday Beauty Queen,’ and ‘Vince & Kath & James.’ See the films’ trailers on this post. These films were chosen based on story, audience appeal, and overall impact (40%); cinematic attributes or technical expertise (40%); global appeal (10%); and Filipino sensibility (10%).

Ahead of the big week starting Christmas Day, eight short film entries will also get their showcase. MMFF 2016’s short film entries include ‘Birds’ by Christian Paulo Lat, ‘EJK’ by Bor Ocampo, ‘Manila Screen’ by Roque Lee & Blair Camilo, ‘Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad’ by Jarell Serencio, ‘Mitatang’ by Argin Jezer Gagui, ‘Momo’ by Avid Liongoren, ‘Passage of Life’ by Renz Vincemark Cruz & Hannah, and ‘Sitsiritsit’ by Brian Spencer Reyes.

See you at the cinemas, folks!