Local filmmakers are invited to submit their entries for the 2025 Montañosa Film Festival (MFF) before the deadline on December 31, 2024.
While submission of film entries was set early, the MFF month will still be in March with the theme, “Bridging Boundaries Through Films.”
The MFF is part of the institutionalized events in Baguio to maintain the status of being proclaimed a Creative City in the field of crafts and folk arts by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – a first in the Philippines.
As a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Baguio is mandated to encourage member cities to provide an avenue for homegrown artists to nurture their craft while seamlessly blending their creations in the metropolitan landscape and creative economy of the city.
The MFF proved to be a unique and sustainable fulfillment of the city’s interwoven creative and tourism endeavors with most of the film finalists being able to nurture their talents for bigger audiences.
Among the MFF films and filmmakers achieving national and international recognition after their participation in the festival include Jaime Morados whose MFF entry “Agahiw the Dreamer” was listed among CNN Philippines’ Best Films of 2022.
Also a notable filmmaker is Jonathan Jurilla who earned a Palanca Award for his piece “Love Child” developed during the MFF stint – which later became a Cinemalaya 2024 finalist alongside his other film “My Boy Superman” which won the CCP Gawad Alternatibo 2024.
Filmmaker Julius Lumiqued’s full-length narrative “The Wedding Dance” was also a finalist in the Cinemalaya 2024 together with Ranniel Semana whose MFF 2024 Best Film “Ino” gained recognition in various film festivals.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive order No. 131, series of 2024 for the MFF calendar of activities and declaring the Baguio Tourism Council as co-presenter and lead implementer while the City Administrator’s Office through the City Tourism and Special Events Office shall serve as coordinator. **JM Samidan
