Senator Vicente C. Sotto III has filed a resolution asking the Metro Manila Development Authority to establish a film festival exclusive for independent films.

BASAHIN: Resolusyon ni Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto na magkaroon ng hiwalay na filmfest ang Indie films sa MMFF pic.twitter.com/2w3ZYC919r

— Zandro Ochona (@ZandroDZMM) January 5, 2017

Sotto argues that since the Christmas season is for children, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) must show family-friendly movies like it did in the previous years.

"The absence of the mainstream films in the MMFF entries for 2016 was prejudicial to the regular MMFF moviegoers, particularly the children, who always look forward to these movies to bond, enjoy, be entertained, and share a good laugh with their family and friends," the resolution reads.

This year's entries, which were dominated by indie films, resulted in a lower audience turnout, since the movies of recent MMFF blockbuster makers Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto were excluded in the official list.

• A first in years: No Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto movies in MMFF

For Sotto, this has not only affected the earnings of production companies but also of MMFF, which has a couple of beneficiaries including the Optical Media Board, Film Academy of the Philippines, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Thus, Sotto calls for a separate festival, where indie films may get "well-deserved spotlight." If approved, this festival will be held during the long semestral break. — With reports from Zandro Ochoa

• READ: Tito Sotto criticizes MMFF for relaxing new rule