MMDA vows to prosecute those pirating 2024 MMFF movies

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is bent on prosecuting those who would distribute pirated copies of movies from the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said on Friday that prosecution is needed to make an example for those who will try to pirate films.

He said prosecuting was seen as more efficient than merely taking down errant sites.

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“Sabi ko nga sa isang producer ng pelikula, kailangan natin magsample. We have to prosecute someone, hold accountable someone para magstop, kasi kung takedown nang takedown, ang problem namin hindi naman ma-cacatch-up eh ‘yung mga law enforcement agencies. Matatakedown ito, may magpopop-up na ganito, at mas mabilis ‘yong pagdami ng sites kesa sa bilis namin matakedown,” Artes said in a press conference on the 2024 MMFF.

(As I told a film producer, we must make an example. We have to prosecute someone and hold someone accountable for it to stop because if we merely take down the copies, the problem is that law enforcement agencies will not be able to catch up. This will be taken down, but another will pop up, and the proliferation of sites is faster than taking them down.)

Artes added that authorities will discuss ways to prevent piracy with cinema administrators in the 2024 MMFF.

The MMDA will also look into social media sites that upload pirated copies of films to take them down, he added.

“Makikipagcoordinate kami sa mga sinehan dahil alam naman natin na normally doon nakukuha ng cam, so siguro pag-usapan namin ‘yan kasama ang Anti-Piracy Council kung paano mapreprevent ‘yong pagkuha ng movie sa sinehan,” Artes said.

(We will coordinate with movie theaters because we know that is normally where piracy is done, so we think we will discuss that with the Anti-Piracy Council on how to prevent the piracy of movies in the cinema.)

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During the 2023 MMFF, some movies fell prey to piracy on online sites, particularly Facebook.

For this year’s MMFF, which is also its 50th anniversary, the host city will be the city of Manila, while the showing of films will be from December 25 until January 7, 2025.