Firefly (2023 film)

Firefly
Firefly
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Zig Madamba Dulay
Written by	Angeli Atienza
Produced by	Nessa Valdellon; Annette Gozon-Valdes; Angeli Atienza; Kristian Julao;
Starring	Alessandra De Rossi; Euwenn Mikaell;
Cinematography	Neil Daza
Edited by	Benjo Ferrer
Music by	Len Calvo
Production; companies	GMA Pictures; GMA Public Affairs;
Distributed by	GMA Pictures
Release date	December 25, 2023;
Running time	103 minutes
Country	Philippines
Languages	Filipino; Bicolano;

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.

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

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
- Dingdong Dantes as adult Tonton^[7] Role is billed as a special participation.^[8]
Yayo Aguila as Carmen, a kind woman who joins the young Tonton in his journey.^[9]
- Racquel Villavicencio as old Carmen
Epy Quizon as Louie, husband of Carmen who also joins Tonton in his journey. ^[9]
- Jaime Fabregas as old Louie
Cherry Pie Picache as Linda Alvaro, Tonton's protective aunt.^[7]
- Lui Manansala as Old Linda
Miguel Tanfelix as Billy, who also joined Tonton in his journey
- Gary Estrada as adult Billy
Ysabel Ortega as Erika, who also joined Tonton in his journey
- Bernadette Allyson-Estrada as adult Erika
Kokoy de Santos as Romnick, son of Carmen and Louie
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.^[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*
Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2023 Metro Manila Film Festival	December 27, 2023	Best Picture	Firefly	Won	^[17]
		Best Director	Zig Dulay	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Dingdong Dantes	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	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
Platinum Stallion National Media Awards	February 2024	Director of the Year	Zig Dulay	Won
Platinum Stallion National Media Awards	February 2024	Child Star of the Year	Euwenn Mikaell	Won
2024 Manila International Film Festival	February 2, 2024	Best Picture	Firefly	Won	^[18]
		Best Director	Zig Dulay	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Alessandra de Rossi	Won
		Best Screenplay	Angeli Atienza	Won
Box Office Entertainment Awards	May 12, 2024	Movie Supporting Actress of the Year	Alessandra De Rossi	Won
Box Office Entertainment Awards	May 12, 2024	Most Popular Child Performer of the Year	Euwenn Mikaell	Won
40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	July 21, 2024	New Movie Actress of the Year	Ysabel Ortega	Won
		New Cinematographer of the Year	Neil Daza	Won
		Movie Child Performer of the Year	Euwenn Mikaell	Won

References

^ ^a ^b 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.
^ "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.
^ Concepcion, Pocholo (January 5, 2024). "What makes firefly shine". pep.ph. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ 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.
^ "'Firefly' unveils official movie poster". GMA News. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ ^a ^b Tomada, Nathalie (December 29, 2023). "Firefly: How the MMFF underdog became the Best Picture of all". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
^ 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.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ "'Firefly' bags top awards at Manila International Film Festival in California". GMA Integrated News. February 3, 2024.
^ Yap, Jade Veronique (April 21, 2024). "'Firefly' lands on Beijing International Film Festival 2024". GMA News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
^ Roque, Nika (April 5, 2024). "The 'Firefly' storybook is now up for sale". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
^ Antonio, Josiah (December 27, 2023). "LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
^ "Here are the winners of the 2024 Manila International Film Festival's awards night". Rappler. February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.