‘The Kingdom’ bags five major awards at Metro Manila Film Festival 2024

The Kingdom, a trailblazing film that reimagines Philippine history, stood out as one of the most celebrated entries in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Garnering 12 nominations, the film brought home five prestigious awards, cementing its status as a festival favorite.

The awards include:

Second Best Picture
Best Director: Michael Tuviera, DGPI
Best Production Design: Nestor Abrogena
Best Visual Effects: Riot Inc.
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award

Produced collaboratively by MQuest Ventures, MZet Television Productions, and APT Entertainment, and written by Michelle Ngu-Nario, The Kingdom continues to resonate for its bold and innovative approach to Philippine cinema.

The Kingdom features a stellar ensemble cast, including Vic Sotto as Lakan Makisig, Piolo Pascual as Sulo, Cristine Reyes as Dayang Matimyas, Sue Ramirez as Dayang Lualhati, and Sid Lucero as Magat Bagwis. The cast’s remarkable performances earned Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual dual nominations for Best Actor, while Sid Lucero garnered a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Director Michael Tuviera shared his thoughts on the creative process: “Working with Bossing (Vic) and Piolo was an absolute privilege. Bossing shed his comedic persona entirely, delivering a performance as Lakan Makisig that was both powerful and vulnerable. Piolo brought incredible precision and intensity to Sulo, elevating every scene he was in. The cast also delivered deeply nuanced performances that brought their characters to life in ways that exceeded expectations.”

*All smiles from APT and MQuest team*: *From left – Shayne Sarte, LPS; Piolo Pascual; Sienna G. Olaso; Michael B. Tuviera, DGPI; Jane J. Basas; Michelle Ngu-Nario, FSG; Camille G. Montaño; Jojo C. Oconer; Nestor Abrogena, PDCP*

On the film’s themes, Tuviera added: “At its core, The Kingdom is about family—how power tests relationships and shapes legacies. We wanted to ground this alternate history in something universal, something that would resonate deeply with everyone.”

Producer Jane Basas, President of MQuest Ventures, expressed her excitement: “Bringing The Kingdom to life has been an incredible journey. These awards validate the creativity and dedication of our team. Following our success with GomBurZa last year, we are proud to continue delivering excellent films for Filipinos. We hope this story inspires viewers to reflect on our history and explore the possibilities of what might have been. To everyone who has supported the film in cinemas, thank you for making this journey unforgettable.”

The Kingdom is currently showing in cinemas nationwide as part of the MMFF lineup, running from December 25, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Its powerful visuals, thought-provoking story, and heartfelt performances have made it a must-see event this holiday season.