Award trophy

The Star Awards for Movie trophy is designed by Ernie Pecho. ^[8] It is a great concept: A pair of hands holding a star. This signifies the support given by the movie press to our local stars. Unfortunately, the PMPC members failed so many times in the past in their search for the most appropriate material for their trophy. They began with fiberglass that eventually cracked in time. It also produced bubbles that made the trophy look cloudy inside. Later, they also tried wood acacia but this is bad for the environment. Today, the press organization is contented with their glass trophy which of course breaks when not handled properly. ^[8]

Broadcasting

Historically, The PMPC Stars Awards for Movies is broadcast on various television networks on a delayed telecast, mainly IBC 13, ABS-CBN, TV5 and A2Z. During the pandemic, the traditional award ceremony gathering of stars was transitioned online to comply the government directives of social distancing ensuring public health safety, where the winners accepted their awards from their own homes or other locations. This was observed during the 36th and 37th PMPC Star Awards for Movies which was held in virtual ceremonies. ^{[9] [10]}

Locations

The award ceremony is held in Metro Manila. Among the common venues for the ceremony are held at Folk Arts Theater in Manila, Villamore Hall in University of the Philippines Diliman and Henry Lee Theater in Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. ^{[11] [12]} Recently, the award event takes place in Solaire Resort Hotel in Paranaque City or at Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Current categories

Special awards

• Darling of the Press
• Movie Loveteam of the Year
• Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award
• Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award

Eligibility period

Films must be locally produced and publicly exhibited in theatrical, streaming, or via mainstream media within the calendar year of the eligibility cycle. For instance, the 41st Star Awards held in November 2025 honored films released in 2024, while the 40th honored 2023 releases. Both mainstream films and independent "indie" films are eligible, featuring in separate categories like "Movie of the Year" and "Indie Movie of the Year". ^[14]

Selection process and voting

Nominations are selected by members of the Philippine Movie Press Club. In recent years, a partial list of winners for certain technical categories has been revealed prior to the main awards night to build anticipation. ^[14] The voting process was managed by PMPC members—primarily film critics and journalists—who cast ballots to select nominees and winners, ensuring peer-reviewed recognition without external influence. ^[15]

ENPRESS and the formation of the Golden Screen Awards

In 2005, a group of entertainment journalists broke away from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) to form the Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS). This split was partly driven by frustrations over the PMPC’s perceived bias and fairness issues in awarding the PMPC Star Awards for Movies. ENPRESS established the Golden Screen Awards, a competing film awards body. ^{[36] [37]}

Criticisms

• In 2005, PhilStar reported allegations of vote-buying and possible studio influence during the 21st PMPC Star Awards for Movies. The article questioned the fairness of the voting process but did not confirm any investigation or outcome. ^[38]
• In 2014, entertainment columnist Jobert Sucaldito accused some PMPC voting members of engaging in vote-buying in connection with the Movie Actor of the Year category at the 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. ^[39] He claimed that he had been assured of support for E.R. Ejercito nominated for ( Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill ), but alleged that another voting member had lobbied for Vice Ganda, who ultimately won for Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy , and whose victory he described as unexpected. ^[40] According to Sucaldito, the intended recipient of the award was Joel Torre (nominated for On The Job ), and in the absence of any vote-buying, Torre would have won. ^[41] The PMPC released a statement refuting the allegations. ^{[42] [43]} Ejercito also distanced himself from the controversy, stating that he was unaware of any vote-buying. ^[44] Vice Ganda addressed the allegations on It’s Showtime , saying he would have returned the award if vote-buying had occurred, but otherwise accepted it. ^[45] He was shown hugging the trophy. ^[46] Several former PMPC members and veteran entertainment writers commented publicly on the controversy. ^[47]