The 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), presented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), was held from 25 December 2013 to the first week of January 2014. No foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters (except IMAX theaters) to showcase locally produced films during the festival. For this year, eight film entries were chosen by the MMDA to be showcased in the festival. Unlike previous years, the ', Panday, and Shake, Rattle & Roll films were not presented for this year's festival.
10,000 Hours won the most awards with fourteen, including Best Actor for Robin Padilla, Best Director for Joyce Bernal, and Best Picture. Other winners included My Little Bossings with four awards, Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy with three, and ' and ' with one.
The 38th Metro Manila Film Festival held in 2012 became the highest earning MMFF to date with 767 million pesos, 21% higher than 2011. In a speech by Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA, an announcement was made on the creation of a new category, "Animation" under the "New Wave," which will be launched this year. He stated, "...With the growing talent of pool animators both locally and abroad, it is high time that we recognize and showcase their potential to a broader audience...". The Animahenasyon: Philippine Animation Festival will feature 5 animated films as a Prelude to be shown in theater 1 week ahead of the mainstream films. In line with the move, the MMFF has partnered with the Animation Council of the Philippines, the country's lead organization to promote the animation industry development. But in the press conference on the announcement of 8 official entries, Chairman Tolentino announced that the animation category will have to be postponed until the next festival. He also announced the creation of the MMFF Review Committee, which will assess and improve the film festival's rules, regulations, and implementing programs.
On 18 June 2013, the eight official entries were announced by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, namely 10,000 Hours, Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy, Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel, Pagpag, Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir, My Super Kap, and My Little Bossings. Due to technical difficulties and other external factors, some entries dropped out of the competition, in which the MMDA committee picks from other entries, which failed to be shortlisted to replace the withdrawn entry.
These films were screened from 18 to 24 December as a prelude to the MMFF.
On 27 December 2013, the Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night was held at Meralco Theater in Ortigas Center, Pasig. Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface. The awards night was aired on TV5.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority was criticized for only releasing the official earnings of the Top 4 films.