The 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival is the third festival in the series. Previously known as the Metropolitan Film Festival and Filipino Film Festival, it was changed to Metro Manila Film Festival. A total of nine movies directed by Philippines' filmmakers participated in the 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Director Lino Brocka walked out of the awarding ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theater when Celso Ad. Castillo's Burlesk Queen starring Vilma Santos won eight of the ten awards including the Best Picture award. Mr. Brocka reportedly threw invectives at Rolando Tinio, who was the chairman of the panel of judges of the festival. It was also reported that organizers asked the winners to return their medals (the MMFF handed out medals that year) due to the controversy.[4][5] However, this turned out to be just a rumor as all winners still have their awards to this day.