Firefly
Theatrical release poster
Directed byZig Madamba Dulay
Written byAngeli Atienza
Produced by
  • Annette Gozon-Valdes
  • John Gary Criel Candelaria
  • Jacel Ann Chiu
Starring
CinematographyNeil Daza
Edited byBenjo Ferrer
Music byLen Calvo
Production
companies
Distributed byAxinite Digicinema Inc.
Release date
  • December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages

Firefly is a 2023 Philippine fantasy film written by Angeli Atienza and directed by Zig Dulay. It stars Alessandra De Rossi and introduces child actor Euwenn Mikaell.

Produced by GMA Network through its public affairs and film studio divisions, the film was theatrically released on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival which turned out to be widely successful.

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 he learned from Elay, his mother (Alessandra De Rossi) during bedtime stories.[3][4][5]

Cast

  • Alessandra De Rossi as Mariela "Elay" Alvaro, Tonton's kind and late mother who introduced him the fireflies
  • Euwenn Mikaell as Anthony "Tonton" Alvaro, a child who learns about a mystical island of fireflies
  • Yayo Aguila as Carmen Alcantara, a kind woman who joins the young Tonton in his journey.[8]
    • Racquel Villavicencio as old Carmen
  • Epy Quizon as Louie Alcantara, husband of Carmen who also joins Tonton in his journey. [8]
  • Cherry Pie Picache as Linda Alvaro, Tonton's protective aunt.[6]
    • Lui Manansala as Old Linda
  • Miguel Tanfelix as Billy, who also joined Tonton in his journey
  • Ysabel Ortega as Erika, who also joined Tonton in his journey
    • Bernadette Allyson-Estrada as adult Erika
  • Kokoy de Santos as Romnick Alcantara, son of Carmen and Louie
    • Pepe Herrera as adult Romnick
  • Max Collins as Abby, a reporter covering Firefly who interviews Tonton at the National Children Book Awards
  • Juancho Trivino as Tonton's Father
  • Elle Villanueva as Magayon, the fairy Elay described in her map
  • Marco Masa as Billy and Erika's son

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.[9] Angeli Atienza was the writer.[10] Firefly is the first fictional feature film production of GMA Public Affairs, which is better known for producing documentaries.[9] Originally, Glaiza de Castro and child star Raphael Landicho was initially cast as the lead roles before eventually de Rossi and Mikaell got the roles respectively.

Principal photography was finished by August 2023, with Metro Manila and Bicol serving as filming locations.[3]

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.[11]

Accolades

Accolades received by Firefly
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2023 Metro Manila Film Festival December 27, 2023 Best Picture Firefly Won [12]
Best Director Zig Dulay Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Dingdong Dantes Nominated
Epi Quizon Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Alessandra de Rossi Nominated
Best Screenplay Angeli Atienza Won
Best Cinematography Neil Daza Nominated
Best Production Design Kenneth Villanueva Nominated
Best Child Performer Euwenn Mikaell Won
Gender Sensitivity Award Firefly Nominated

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. 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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "'Firefly' unveils official movie poster". GMA News. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  6. 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ Antonio, Josiah (December 27, 2023). "LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
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