The 9th Metro Manila Film Festival was held in 1983. Only eight movies participated. Cine Suerte's Karnal won the Best Picture and four other awards. The major individual awards, however, was garnered by Lea Productions' Bago Kumalat ang Kamandag including Best Actor and Best Actress for Anthony Alonzo and Coney Reyes respectively, Best Director and Best Screenplay for Willie Milan among others. Other awardees include the films Hot Property and Tengteng de Sarapen. RVQ Productions' Tengteng de Sarapen was the top grosser of the festival.