Firefly (2023 film)

Last updated

Firefly
Firefly 2023 MMFF poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Zig Dulay
Written byAngeli Atienza
Produced by
  • Nessa Valdellon
  • Annette Gozon-Valdes
  • Angeli Atienza
  • Kristian Julao
Starring
CinematographyNeil Daza
Edited byBenjo Ferrer
Music byLen Calvo
Production
companies
Distributed byGMA Pictures
Release date
  • December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25)(MMFF)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages

Firefly is a 2023 Philippine fantasy film written by Angeli Atienza and directed by Zig Dulay. The film stars Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell in his theatrical debut. It was one of the entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won as Best Picture.

Contents

Premise

Set in 1999, [1] Firefly is told from the perspective of an adult Tonton (Dingdong Dantes) who reminisces about his childhood. [2]

A ten-year old Tonton [1] (Euwenn Mikaell) goes on a search for the "Island of Fireflies", a mystical island of Ticao [3] he learned from Elay, his mother (Alessandra De Rossi) during bedtime stories. [4] [5] [6]

Cast

Production

Firefly is a film by GMA Network produced under GMA Pictures and the GMA Public Affairs. Zig Dulay was the director, while Neil Daza served as the cinematographer. [10] Angeli Atienza was the writer. [11] Firefly is the first fictional feature film production of GMA Public Affairs, which is better known for producing documentaries. [10] Glaiza de Castro and child star Raphael Landicho were originally cast as the lead roles before de Rossi and Mikaell took over their respective roles.

Principal photography was finished by August 2023, with Metro Manila and Bicol serving as filming locations. [4]

Release

Firefly premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival. [12]

Viva Films distributed Firefly in the United Arab Emirates (Al Ghurair Centre, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Al Ain) beginning January 17.

The film was an entry to the Metro Manila International Film Festival in TCL Chinese 6 theaters and Directors Guild of America Complex, Los Angeles, which took place from January 30 to February 2. [13]

In the Manila International Film Festival on February 3, 2024, in Hollywood, California, Firefly captured four awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Alessandra de Rossi, Best Screenplay for Angeli Atienza, and Best Director for Dulay. The Firefly team has an opportunity to create a US-based feature film co-produced by Birns & Sawyer with up to $100,000 worth of camera rental equipment. Its director Dulay, and screenwriter will each receive the latest version of Final Draft software, valued at $250. [14]

The film premiered at Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) on April 18 until April 26, 2024. [15]

In April 2024, GMA Public Affairs announced the launching of a storybook that was based on the film. Written by Augie Rivera, the scriptwriter, the storybook's illustrations were drawn by Aldy Aguirre, with watercolor and gouache. [16]

Accolades

Accolades received by Firefly
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2023 Metro Manila Film Festival December 27, 2023 Best Picture FireflyWon [17]
Best Director Zig DulayNominated
Best Supporting Actor Dingdong Dantes Nominated
Epi Quizon Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Alessandra de RossiNominated
Best Screenplay Angeli AtienzaWon
Best Cinematography Neil DazaNominated
Best Production Design Kenneth VillanuevaNominated
Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikaell Won
Gender Sensitivity Award FireflyNominated
Platinum Stallion National Media AwardsFebruary 2024Director of the YearZig DulayWon [18]
Child Star of the YearEuwenn MikaellWon
2024 Manila International Film Festival February 2, 2024 Best PictureFireflyWon [19]
Best DirectorZig DulayWon
Best Supporting ActressAlessandra de RossiWon
Best ScreenplayAngeli AtienzaWon
Box Office Entertainment Awards May 12, 2024Movie Supporting Actress of the YearAlessandra De RossiWon [20]
Most Popular Child Performer of the YearEuwenn MikaellWon
40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies July 21, 2024New Movie Actress of the YearYsabel OrtegaWon [21]
New Cinematographer of the YearNeil DazaWon
Movie Child Performer of the YearEuwenn MikaellWon
ContentAsia AwardsSeptember 5, 2024Best Asian Feature Film
(silver award)		FireflyWon [22]

References

  1. 1 2 Policarpio, Allan (October 23, 2023). "For Alessandra de Rossi, 'one take' is all it takes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Firefly' all set to light up the MMFF silver screen". The Manila Times. December 16, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  3. ↑ Concepcion, Pocholo (January 5, 2024). "What makes firefly shine". pep.ph. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (August 29, 2023). "First look at 'Firefly' movie as it wraps up taping". GMA Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  5. ↑ Santiago, Ervin (October 25, 2023). "Alessandra hindi nahirapang gumanap na nanay sa MMFF entry na 'Firefly', humugot sa mga alagang bird" [Alessandra did not find portrayal in MMFF entry ‘Firefly’ difficult, drew inspiration from her pet birds]. Bandera (in Filipino). Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  6. ↑ "'Firefly' unveils official movie poster". GMA News. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Severino, Howie (December 16, 2023). "'Firefly' is a movie journey full of longing". GMA News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  8. ↑ Songco, Pauline (December 16, 2023). "Four cities, 10 entries: MMFF 2023 Parade of Stars draws overflow crowd". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (December 15, 2023). "Yayo Aguila says her 'Firefly' character is 'different' from her previous roles". GMA Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Tomada, Nathalie (December 29, 2023). "Firefly: How the MMFF underdog became the Best Picture of all". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ Gabinete, Jojo (September 23, 2023). "Alessandra de Rossi hindi nagsisisi sa desisyon na huwag nang gawin ang role na ito" [Alessandra de Rossi does not regret decision not to accept these kind of roles]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  12. ↑ "MMFF expands lineup to 10, announces 6 new entries". ABS-CBN News. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ Yap, Jade Veronique (January 12, 2024). "Firefly:' Here's a list of UAE, California cinemas where you can watch MMFF 2023's Best Picture". GMA Integrated News .
  14. ↑ "'Firefly' bags top awards at Manila International Film Festival in California". GMA Integrated News . February 3, 2024.
  15. ↑ Yap, Jade Veronique (April 21, 2024). "'Firefly' lands on Beijing International Film Festival 2024". GMA News . Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ Roque, Nika (April 5, 2024). "The 'Firefly' storybook is now up for sale". GMA Integrated News . Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  17. ↑ Antonio, Josiah (December 27, 2023). "LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners". News.ABS-CBN.com . Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "GMA wins major honors at the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards". GMA Network. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Here are the winners of the 2024 Manila International Film Festival's awards night". Rappler. February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  20. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (May 2, 2024). "Box Office Entertainment Awards 2024: DongYan, KathDen win top honors". PEP. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  21. ↑ "'Firefly' stars Euwenn Mikaell, Ysabel Ortega win big as PMPC Star Awards for Movie". GMA Network. July 22, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  22. ↑ "GMA Network wins top honors at ContentAsia Awards 2024". GMA network. September 13, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
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