‘Sunod’ replaces ‘(K)ampon’ as MMFF 2019 official entry

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A new horror film is joining the list of official entries of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), replacing Kris Aquino’s “(K)ampon.”

“The entry ‘(K)ampon’ of Quantum Films, which is a horror film, will be replaced by the film ‘Sunod’ after the former film was disqualified  by the MMFF executive committee as an official entry for filing its request for change of lead actor beyond the July 30, 2019 deadline,” the MMFF said in a statement on Tuesday, September 3.

To recall, Derek Ramsay should have been Kris’s leading man in the movie but he backed out from the film as he has a GMA contract “that should be his top priority,” the country’s “Queen of All Media” earlier said. Derek was then replaced by Gabby Concepcion, however,  Quantum Films’ letter of request for the change of lead actor was only submitted on August 5.

It was Kris herself who announced in a series of Instagram posts last month that the MMFF’s rules committee did not approve their request since they were five days late.

“Pinalaki po ako (I was raised) to ABIDE by RULES. Hindi po kami ang  (We are not the) lead producer ng (K)Ampon. So unfortunately, my return to horror was not meant to be for MMFF 2019,” Kris previously said.

[READ: Kris Aquino says MMFF horror film will no longer push through]

“Sunod” is also a horror movie, but produced by TEN17P and directed by Carlo Ledesma. No further details have been revealed yet aside from Carmina Villaroel, Mylene Dizon, Susan Africa, and Kate Alejandrino being its major casts.

Citing section 12 of Rule III of the 2019 MMFF Rules and Regulations, the MMFF said if an entry is disqualified, the vacant spot should be automatically occupied by the “next-in-rank” of the same genre. In this case, “Sunod” is the horror movie next to “(K)ampon” based on the ranking of the MMFF’s selection committee.

Among other official entries included in this year’s MMFF line-up include “Miracle in Cell #7” starring Aga Muhlach and Bela Padilla, “Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity” starring Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza, and “Momalland” starring Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis. The other four entries have yet to be announced.

“The next stage of competition in the full length category is via the finished films. The deadline of finished film submission is at 5pm on Sept. 20,” the MMFF said.

Held annually, the MMFF starts every December 25, Christmas Day.