MMFF 2016: Erik Matti wins Best Director for ‘Seklusyon’

MANILA, Philippines – Acclaimed filmmaker Erik Matti won Best Director at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2016 awards night on Thursday, December 29 at the Kia Theatre, for his work in the entry Seklusyon. 

The taut thriller features 4 deacons in seclusion as a rite of passage before priesthood. In this time, they face their own inner demons and ghosts from their past. 

Seklusyon was among the top-grossing entries in the festival’s opening day. The film has also won a number of awards at the evening’s awards night, including Best Screenplay, Cinematography, and Theme Song. More details to follow. 

Last year, Erik Matti also won Best Director for his MMFF entry Honor Thy Father, but did not attend the awards night. Instead, he sent a representative to say a few words for him about his disappointment in the festival – Honor Thy Father was disqualified from the Best Picture category the day before the awards night. 

Following the MMFF 2015 scandal regarding Honor Thy Father, many changes were made to the festival. The submission rules and criteria for judging changed, along with the members of the Executive Committee. (READ: MMFF 2016 revamped: 10 important changes to know)

This year, the MMFF films are set to run in theaters until January 3. – Rappler.com

More MMFF 2016 on Rappler here: 

• FULL LIST: Winners, MMFF 2016 Gabi ng Parangal
• MMFF 2016: ‘Oro’ star Irma Adlawan wins Best Actress
• MMFF 2016: ‘Die Beautiful’ star Paolo Ballesteros wins Best Actor
• MMFF 2016: ‘Sunday Beauty Queen’ wins Best Picture
• MMFF 2016: ‘Oro’ wins Best Ensemble Cast
• MMFF 2016: Erik Matti wins Best Director for ‘Seklusyon’

• FULL LIST: 8 MMFF 2016 entries, trailers revealed
• MMFF 2016: ‘Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2’ tackles the making of a romcom
• MMFF 2016: The connection between ‘Die Beautiful’ and Jennifer Laude
• MMFF 2016: ‘Kabisera,’ a layered and complex family drama
• MMFF 2016: Based on true events, ‘Oro’ brings tough issues to light
• [MMFF 2016] Saving ‘Saving Sally,’ 12 years in the making
• MMFF 2016: In Erik Matti’s ‘Seklusyon,’ terror comes for you – slowly
• MMFF 2016: 5 things to know about ‘Sunday Beauty Queen’
• MMFF 2016: 5 things to know about ‘Vince and Kath and James’
• MMFF 2016 revamped: 10 important changes to know
• Box office update: MMFF 2016 reveals day 1 top grossing films
• MMFF 2016 films face looming challenge to remain in theaters
• MMFF 2016: 4 films grant 30% discount to students, senior citizens, PWDs
• An MMFF 2016 rundown: Why you should watch all 8 entries
• WATCH: See the floats and the stars at the MMFF 2016 Parade!
• LOOK: Vibrant MMFF 2016 floats from the Parade of Stars
• MMFF 2016: No CEB grade for ‘Kabisera,’ director speaks up