MMFF ties up with Fiesta in America to promote PH films in West Coast

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has tied up with organizers of the 26th edition of “Fiesta in America,” the longest-running Filipino cultural and trade show on the West Coast, to promote Philippine-produced movies to US-based Pinoys.

For starters, there will be a screening of the restored version of “Jose Rizal The Movie,” directed by the late National Artist for Film Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano, on Aug. 13 at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“We were able to meet with key players in the operations of the festival on the East Coast. They had a successful run in January,” said Fernando “Nanding” Mendez, president of Fiesta in America, who flew to Manila to attend a recent media gathering.

“We said we will try our best to present them to the Filipino community on the West Coast. We are already communicating with theater owners there. This is a very good project for us,” he added.

To promote, encourage

Mendez was referring to the 1st Metro International Film Festival (MIFF) that was held in Los Angeles, California, and featured the finalists of the 2023 MMFF.

“We would like to celebrate the MMFF’s 50th, and showcase the festival’s most popular and awarded films. We will be providing them the international platform in New York and New Jersey,” said Mendez. “We will promote the MMFF to our kababayans, encourage them to go home in December and join in the movie screenings.”

He said the screening of “Jose Rizal” is in collaboration with members of the organization called Knights of Rizal. He added that Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Don Artes and MMFF executive director Rochelle Ona will be present during the event. MMDA is the overall organizer of the MMFF.

Vibrant community

“Fiesta in America” is set on Aug. 17 and 18 at the American Dream, the second largest mall in the US. It was established in 1996 and is considered the longest-running trade and multicultural event in the New York-New Jersey area.

“They come from all over, even from Canada and Florida. They arrive in busloads,” Mendez said, adding that the annual event provides economic opportunities for over 10,000 Filipino-Americans who are expected to attend.

“Our primary focus is to empower Filipino businesses to thrive and generate revenue from our vibrant community of attendees,” Mendez said. The 2024 edition will continue to feature exhibits, concerts, entertainment, business opportunities and networking platforms. This year’s entertainment lineup features 28 artists and groups, including Jessica Sanchez and Bryan Termulo.

This year’s destination partner is Siargao Island, located in the province of Surigao del Norte and voted 2019 Best Island in Asia by the American magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

On Aug. 11, “Fiesta in America” will host the People’s Ball, chaired by Mendez’s partner, Laura Garcia. It will be held at the Marriott Newark International Airport Hotel in New Jersey and will feature live performances, as well as a formal ceremony to hand out the Empowerment Award, which honors outstanding Filipino-Americans.