THE 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival will feature short films that show Filipino culture and traditions as well as social and political conditions.

Some of the entries were supposed to be part of the 2020 Summer MMFF Student Short Film Competition that was postponed because of the Covid19 pandemic.

“AaBaKaDa”, “Sala, Salin-Laway”,  “Sina Alexa, Xander at Ang Universe” and “Paano Maging Babae” were the entries of the sophomore students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

“AaBaKaDa” by Tyrone James Luanzon explores the possibilities brought by the influx of foreigners in the country, while the comedy “Sala, Salin-Laway” by Daniella Verzosa takes the audience inside the Filipino household wherein the Miss Universe mania unites not just the family, but the whole barangay in one living room.

Meanwhile, “Sina Alexa, Xander at Ang Universe” by Vahn Leinard Pascual reminds viewers to enjoy the simple wonders of life through a play of pageantry among siblings.

“Paano Maging Babae” by Gian Arre seeks to answer the titular question when one woman decides to speak up against social injustices from misogyny.

Also included in the line-up are “Balik-Bayan” from the University of Makati, “Kyokok (Nilingaw)” from the Western Mindanao State University, “Lipstick, Paraisong Parisukat” from the Philippine High School for Art, “Laruang Baril” from the Far Eastern University, and “Garbo” from the University of Southeastern Philippines.

The students’ short films along with other full-length films will be shown beginning December 25, 2020. It can be viewed on Upstream PH through www.upstream.ph/mmff/.