Francis M film is MMFF entry

A movie which pays tribute to the late rapper Francis Magalona is the eighth and last official entry to this year’s Metropolitan Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“The MMFF Special Selection Committee recommended and chose ‘Kaleidoscope World’ as the last official entry because it is the next qualified movie among the other contenders,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino, concurrent head of the MMFF, said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The film will be shown four years after Magalona’s death due to complications arising from leukemia. The dance-musical feature made it to the MMFF’s Magic 8 after Star Cinema officially withdrew its entry, “Be Careful with My Heart,” a decision Tolentino asked the film producer to reconsider.  Star Cinema, however, opted to submit a different story.

“For a while, I mulled the possibility of opening the final slot to new movies, including ‘My Husband’s Lover.’ But it is in violation of the existing rules of the MMFF,” the MMDA chair said.

Produced by iACT Production, “Kaleidoscope World” stars Sef Cadayona, Yassi Pressman, Pia Pilapil and Alma Concepcion.

Another film which was also withdrawn from the festival, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s “My Super Kap,” was replaced by “Boy Golden,” an action movie featuring Jorge Estregan and KC Concepcion under the direction of Chito Roño.

Tolentino said that with the MMFF movie lineup now complete, he was optimistic that this year’s film festival would be better and surpass last year’s gross sales.

The MMFF is an annual event organized primarily to help promote and enhance the preservation, growth and development of the local film industry. It starts on Christmas Day and ends on the first week of January. Niña P. Calleja