Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) launch press conference held at ANDAZ in West Hollywood, CA; actress HILDA KORONEL announced as the first recipient of Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award

MIFF, the first overseas edition of the MMFF, will be launched at the DGA with a screening of three films chosen from the eight entries in the inaugural summer edition of MMFF (Metro Manila Summer Film Festival – MMSFF) held last April in the Philippines. These three films and their screening times on Nov. 2 are Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the Groom,” starring Enchong Dee, Kaladkaren, Miles Ocampo and Gladys Reyes, MMSFF special jury prize winner, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm; JP Habac Jr.’s “Love You Long Time,” starring Carlo Aquino, Eisel Serrano and Ana Abad Santos, 2:00 – 4:00 pm; Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us,” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, which won several MMSFF awards, including best picture, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, including a Q & A, moderated by journalist Ruben V. Nepales, with star Romnick Sarmenta and filmmakers Jun Robles Lana and Perci Intalan. The LA launch will also feature a VIP reception and a meet and greet with the stars and filmmakers behind these three films, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Tickets to the November 2 screenings and events, to be held at DGA, including other details, are available at: https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com/ The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinator. For MIFF launch and festival sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog (eilog@manilainternationalfilmfest.com) and Ron Ramores (rramores@manilainternationalfilmfest.com). Ten entries in the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival this December will be screened in Los Angeles on January 30 and 31 and February 1 and 2, 2024. With the lineup of star-studded MMFF entries, MIFF in LA promises to be an exciting one as well.