Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director
The Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Director is an award presented annually by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. It was first awarded at the 1st Metro Manila Film Festival ceremony, held in 1975; Augusto Buenaventura received the award for directing the film, Diligan Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa and it is given to directors working in the motion picture industry. Currently, nominees and winners are determined by Executive Committees, headed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman and key members of the film industry.
Winners and nominees
| Key | Explanation |
| Indicates the winning director |
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Multiple awards for Best Director
Throughout the history of Metro Manila Film Festival, there have been directors who received multiple Awards for Best Director. As of 2016, 10 directors have received two or more Best Director awards.| Director | Record Set | First year awarded | Recent year awarded |
| Joel Lamangan | 3 | 1995 | 2009 |
| Jose Javier Reyes | 3 | 1993 | 2006 |
| Marilou Diaz-Abaya | 3 | 1980 | 1999 |
| Erik Matti | 2 | 2015 | 2016 |
| Mark Meily | 2 | 2003 | 2008 |
| Chito Rono | 2 | 1997 | 2001 |
| Laurice Guillen | 2 | 1988 | 2000 |
| Eddie Garcia | 2 | 1987 | 1989 |
| Mario O'Hara | 2 | 1984 | 1986 |
| Lino Brocka | 2 | 1979 | 1985 |
| Brillante Mendoza | 2 | 2012 | 2019 |