Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director

The Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director is an award presented annually by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It was first awarded at the 1st Metro Manila Film Festival ceremony, held in 1975; Augusto Buenaventura received the award for directing the film, Diligan Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa and it is given to directors working in the motion picture industry. [1] Currently, nominees and winners are determined by Executive Committees, headed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman and key members of the film industry.[2]

Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director
2023 recipient Pepe Diokno
Awarded forExcellence in Cinematic Direction Achievement
CountryPhilippines
Presented byMMDA
First awarded1975
Currently held byPepe Diokno,
GomBurZa (2023)
Websitewww.mmda.gov.ph/mmff/

Winners and nominees

Eddie Romero won in 1976 for his directing in Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon.
Mark Meily won several directing awards including his first win in 2003 in Crying Ladies.
Cesar Montano won in 2004 for his directing in Panaghoy sa Suba.
Brillante Mendoza won twice in 2012 and 2019 for his directing in Thy Womb and Mindanao.
KeyExplanation
Indicates the winning director

1970s

YearDirectorFilmRef
1975
(1st)
Augusto Buenaventura‡Diligan Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa[1]
1976
(2nd)
Eddie RomeroGanito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon[3]
Lupita Aquino-KashiwaharaMinsa'y isang Gamu-gamo
1977
(3rd)
Celso Ad. CastilloBurlesk Queen[4]
1978
(4th)
Eddie GarciaAtsay[5]
1979
(5th)
Lino BrockaIna ka ng Anak Mo[6]

1980s

YearDirectorFilmRef
1980
(6th)
Marilou Diaz-AbayaBrutal[7]
1981
(7th)
Mike De LeonKisapmata[8]
1982
(8th)
Ishmael BernalHimala[9]
1983
(9th)
Willie MilanBago Kumalat ang Kamandag[10]
1984
(10th)
Mario O'HaraBulaklak sa City Jail[11]
1985
(11th)
Lino BrockaAno ang Kulay ng Mukha ng Diyos?[12]
1986
(12th)
Mario O'HaraHalimaw sa Banga[13]
1987
(13th)
Artemio Marquez ‡The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez[14]
1988
(14th)
Laurice GuillenMagkano ang iyong dangal[15]
1989
(15th)
Eddie GarciaImortal[16]

1990s

YearDirectorFilmRef
1990
(16th)
Gil PortesAndrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?[17]
1991
(17th)
Elwood Perez ‡Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.[18]
1992
(18th)
Ike Jarlego, Jr. ‡Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang[19]
1993
(19th)
Jose Javier ReyesMay Minamahal[20]
1994
(20th)
None[Note 1][21][22]
1995
(21st)
Joel LamanganMuling Umawit ang Puso[23]
1996
(22nd)
Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes‡Magic Temple[24]
1997
(23rd)
Chito RoñoNasaan Ang Puso?[25]
1998
(24th)
Marilou Diaz-AbayaJosé Rizal[26]
1999
(25th)
Marilou Diaz-AbayaMuro-ami[27]

2000s

YearDirectorFilmRef
2000
(26th)
Laurice GuillenTanging Yaman[28]
2001
(27th)
Chito RoñoYamashita: The Tiger's Treasure[29]
2002
(28th)
Joel LamanganMano Po[30]
2003
(29th)
Mark MeilyCrying Ladies[31]
2004
(30th)
Cesar MontanoPanaghoy sa Suba[32]
2005
(31st)
Jose Javier ReyesKutob[33]
2006
(32nd)
Jose Javier ReyesKasal, Kasali, Kasalo[34]
2007
(33rd)
Cesar Apolinario ‡Banal[35]
2008
(34th)
Mark MeilyBaler[36]
2009
(35th)
Joel LamanganMano Po 6: A Mother's Love[37]
Rico Gutierrez, Don Michael Perez, Jessel MonteverdeShake, Rattle & Roll 11

2010s

YearDirectorFilmRef
2010
(36th)
Wenn DeramasAng Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!)[38]
2011
(37th)
Tikoy AguiluzManila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story[39]
Tony Y. ReyesEnteng Ng Ina Mo
Chris MartinezShake, Rattle & Roll 13
2012
(38th)
Brillante MendozaThy Womb[40]
Ruel BayaniOne More Try
2013
(39th)
Joyce Bernal10,000 Hours[41]
2014
(40th)
Dan VillegasEnglish Only, Please[42]
2015
(41st)
Erik MattiHonor Thy Father[43]
Antoinette JadaoneAll You Need Is Pag-Ibig
Randolph LongjasBuy Now, Die Later
Jose Javier ReyesMy Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore
Dan Villegas#Walang Forever
2016
(42nd)
Erik MattiSeklusyon[44]
Jun LanaDie Beautiful
Avid LiongorenSaving Sally
Babyruth VillaramaSunday Beauty Queen
2017
(43rd)
Paul SorianoSiargao[45]
2018
(44th)
Joel LamanganRainbow's Sunset[46]
2019
(45th)
Brillante MendozaMindanao
Carlo LedesmaSunod
Crisanto B. AquinoWrite About Love

2020s

YearDirectorFilmRef
2020
(46th)
Antoinette JadaoneFan Girl[47]
MacArthur AlejandreTagpuan
Christian AcuñaMagikland
Dolly DuluThe Boy Foretold by the Stars
Easy FerrerThe Missing
2021
(47th)
Jun LanaBig Night![48]
Carlo Francisco ManatadKun Maupay Man it Panahon
Lawrence FajardoA Hard Day
2022
(48th)
Mikhail RedDeleter[49]
Shugo PraicoNanahimik ang Gabi
Lester DimarananMamasapano: Now It Can Be Told
Joel LamanganMy Father, Myself
Paul SorianoMy Teacher
2023
(49th)
Pepe DioknoGomBurZa[50]
Zig DulayFirefly
Jun LanaBecky & Badette
Mae Cruz-AlviarRewind
Derick CabridoMallari
Rado Peru, Rommel PenezaWhen I Met You In Tokyo

Multiple awards for Best Director

Throughout the history of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), there have been directors who received multiple Awards for Best Director. As of 2019 (45nd MMFF), 11 directors have received two or more Best Director awards.

DirectorRecord SetFirst year awardedRecent year awarded
Joel Lamangan319952009
Jose Javier Reyes19932006
Marilou Diaz-Abaya19801999
Erik Matti220152016
Mark Meily20032008
Chito Rono19972001
Laurice Guillen19882000
Eddie Garcia19871989
Mario O'Hara19841986
Lino Brocka19791985
Brillante Mendoza20122019

Notes

References