MMFF to go after digital piracy, illegal streaming of festival movies

MMDA Chair Danilo Lim warns filing criminal charges against those involved in digiral piracy of film festival movies.
(PIA NCR file photo)

QUEZON CITY, Dec. 27 (PIA) -- Amid reports of digital piracy of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movies, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Danilo Lim on Sunday warned that they will go after and file cases against those involved in unlawful distribution or illegal streaming.

"Nakatanggap tayo ng mga reports ukol sa pamimirata ng mga MMFF movies. Marami umano ang nagtatangkang magrecord at mag-upload ng mga pelikula sa ibang mga platform na hindi natin otorisado," Lim told the PIA-NCR.

"Magsasampa tayo ng kaso sa kung sino man ang mahuli at mapatunayang gumagawa nito. Katuwang natin ang NBI, DICT, PNP, at mga LGUs sa pagsisigurong mananagot sila sa batas. Hindi natin ito palalagpasin dahil isa itong seryosong krimen," the concurrent MMFF chair added.

To recall, this year's edition of the film festival allowed for movies to be watched anywhere, in any device, through digital streaming, in compliance with the health and safety protocols for COVID-19.

Lim, however, also warned the public against any attempt to download the streamed copyrighted digital content as it also violates the intellectual property law.

"Binabalaan din natin ang publiko na ‘wag na ‘wag magdownload ng kopya ng mga piniratang MMFF movies. Kaya naeengganyo ang mga namimirata ay dahil mayroong mga tumatangkilik kaya ‘wag natin silang suportahan sa anumang paraan," he said.

Also, Lim encouraged the digital movie patrons and the public to not to engage in piracy and to report illegal streamers and streaming sites.

"Ipagbigay alam agad sa mga awtoridad kung may impormasyon kayo ukol sa mga namimirata ng MMFF movies. Maaaring ipadala ang complaint sa official MMFF page na Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Official o tumawag sa MMDA Hotline 136," he urged.

Now on its 46th year, the MMFF features a diverse line-up of movies like comedy, romance, drama, horror, action, thriller, biopic, and fantasy adventure.

The 10 official entries include the following: Ang Lihim ng Bandang Itim, Coming Home, Fan Girl, Isa Pang Bahaghari, Magikland, Mang Kepweng, Pakboys Takusa, The Missing, Tagpuan, The Healing Priest, The Boy Foretold by the Stars and Suarez.

"Lahat ng mga pelikulang tampok sa MMFF ay pinagsikapang gawin ng mga Filipino filmmakers. ‘Wag nating sayangin ang kanilang mga talento sa pagtangkilik ng pirated movies. Manood lang sa official streaming site natin na upstream.ph," he added.

The MMFF is an annual event held every Christmas organized primarily to promote Philippine cinema, proceeds from the film festival go to a number of beneficiaries in the film industry. (PIA NCR)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)