More than a month from their win at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023, the small movie with a big story ‘Firefly’ continues its recognition as it becomes the most awarded film at the Manila International Film Festival 2024.
From being the silent underdog to becoming the 2023 MMFF big winner, Firefly’ continued its victorious streak abroad as it won the most awards at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Hollywood, California – including the highly-coveted Best Picture honor.
The film produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs also took home three more awards and three nominations during the MIFF Awards Night last February 3: another Best Screenplay for GMA Public Affairs SAVP and Firefly creator Angeli Atienza; Best Director for award-winning film and TV director Zig Dulay; and Best Supporting Actress for highly-acclaimed actress Alessandra de Rossi.
Aside from winning four major awards, the film also garnered nominations for the Best Supporting Actor (Epy Quizon) and Actress (Cherry Pie Picache) categories, as well as for Best Cinematography (Neil Daza).
Following their Best Picture win, the ‘Firefly’ team was awarded a $200,000 co-producing package by Birns and Sawyer for the production of a US-based feature film.
“This re-establishes us as a film studio that does hindi lang credible but beautiful work that focuses on stories that are powerful, that tell stories well, has quality in production, that values a compelling story over all. This is bringing us back to the days of GMA Films when it started, when we had Jose Rizal, Muro-Ami, Deathrow – these award-winning films, sunod-sunod ang MMFF wins noon from 1998-1999. We’re bringing the brand back to its roots,” shares producer Ms. Nessa Valdellon.
The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture awardee, ‘Firefly’ narrates a moving story about family, dreams, and bravery, as the young Tonton, portrayed by MMFF Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikael, embarks on a journey to find the mystical island of fireflies based on his mother’s bedtime stories.
The film also won Best Screenplay along with 15 nominations at the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal last December.
Early this year, ‘Firefly’ was shown in the United Arab Emirates prior to its screening in Los Angeles, California, as part of the MIFF.
The MIFF is an international film festival that aims to bridge Filipino films to global audiences and showcase Filipino culture and art.
Some people are clamoring for ‘Firefly’ to be the Philippines’ submission to the Oscars for 2024. “Super open, we hope that they will consider us,” Ms. Nessa answers.
What’s next for GMA Pictures?
We have a lot in the pipeline. Right now there are secret projects. I can tell you we’re working with our National Artist Ricky Lee for our next MMFF, he’s writing it and we’re working with Enrico Santos with one of our movies,” shares producer Ms. Nessa
Watch our coverage of the Firefly pocket press conference below: