MANILA, Philippines?In a meeting of the executive committee of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) early this week, a new breakdown of the criteria for Best Picture was approved.

According to Execom members Boots Anson-Roa and Ric Camaligan, ?the new criteria puts premium back to creative and technical merit as opposed to previous years? which gave more weight to commercial appeal.?

As recommended by the Execom, this is the new basis for judging Best Picture in the annual fest, according to Camaligan: 50 percent for artistic and technical merit; 35 percent for box-office earnings; and 15 percent for Filipino cultural values.

Producers consulted

Oscar Inocentes, the new festival head and chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA, which spearheads the fest), explained that changing the criteria is in line with the goal of improving the festival.

?In the past, the results (of the awards) were questioned by critics. I?m aware of the controversies. That?s why we decided to tackle those issues and change the criteria,? Inocentes said.

He noted that he also hopes to involve more members of the movie industry in the decision-making process. ?We want to invite directors and producers... we want to hear their opinions.?

To this end, a consultation meeting with producers was set on March 3, to discuss the festival?s rules and regulations, said Inocentes.

?The recommended changes in the criteria will be presented to producers. The chair feels strongly that producers should be consulted,? said Roa.

He said one way to meet the fest?s target of P0.5 billion in box-office earnings is to prepare for it early in the game. ?We are eyeing an earlier launch this year.?

The film fest was launched in an appreciation dinner on Feb. 26. Announcement of the eight official entries is set on May 28. Dec. 10 is the deadline for the submission of finished films.

Under the new leadership, deadlines are hoped to be enforced strictly.

Stickler for rules

?Because of his background as a former judge, the chair is very particular about rules... all our board resolutions are in black and white,? said Roa.

Considering that it?s an election year, the composition of the MMFF Execom may be affected, if not altered, by the change in administration.

?It?s governed by a Charter, Executive Order 640,? Roa said.

?The appointment of the members of the different committees cover a one-year period, the entire duration of the festival period,? said Rolando Josef, executive director of the the MMFF executive committee.

Inocentes insisted that he?s a movie fan, too. ?I?ve seen almost all of the movies of Fernando Poe Jr.?

He hopes the festival will encourage Filipinos to patronize local movies more.

?The MMFF is our chance to prove that we can make movies that are as good as those done by foreigners,? he said.