This year, the festival received a record-breaking 152 entries for this year’s competition, and only 10 have been shortlisted for the coveted title of finalist. These finalists were chosen by a panel of five judges made up of the country’s cinematic icons, which are Ghazi Alqudcy, Nadiah Hamzah, Jeany Amir, Tunku Mona Riza, and Saw Teong Hin.
Themed “PULSE”, this year’s BMW Shorties aims to continue pushing boundaries in the creative storytelling space, an extension of last year’s theme of ‘EVOLVE’ which put a special focus on the celebration of digital content and their creators.
In no particular order, here are the 10 films competing for the Grand Prize for your viewing pleasure.
Mourning Visit | 返歸 by Chan Teik Quan
https://youtu.be/DAuUxRYvuFQ
On her way home from work, Keen encounters a mysterious woman from somewhere far away in the midnight bus, who reveals to her that she is on a one-day trip to visit her family who she has not seen for a long time. As Keen finds out more about the mysterious woman in the bus, she contemplates on familial values and the meaning of separation.
Tomorrow is Spring | வருங்காலம் வசந்தகாலம் by Krityishaa A/P Karunagaran
Menaga who works as a school guard, insinuates marriage with her boyfriend. However, he doesn’t have intentions of committing to her and ends up insulting her living conditions instead. Menaga who is initially contented in her small world, now is determined to prove him otherwise.
From Aini To Europa by Sidney Chan
https://youtu.be/2jlxoOvMLYc
When Yue moves into her new family, she finds out that her stepsister, Aini, is friends with a being from Europa, whom she contacts through a radio. Together, they go on an adventure of imagination, wonder, while navigating the harsh reality of life.
Neural by Deru Inara
The world is grappling with a population decline, and a security guard is struggling to accept that his wife wants to leave him. Unable to face the “reality” that they are not truly “compatible,” he asks her to do something drastic, to at least know for certain that she is truly gone.
Another Kind of Life by Muhammad Fattah Fawzy bin A Rahman
Humi Suya, a Kadazan Dusun woman who has recently embraced Islam, faces pressure after her younger sister, Haun Suya, takes her own life. Humi, who is struggling with her new faith, cannot accept this fate and begins to doubt the trials she is facing, while her husband Hilman, tries to comfort her and fulfill his wife’s wish to meet her sister’s final request.
Here Without The Sun by Chong Bao Quan
https://youtu.be/Cu0oYsgwrCw?si=A_VL2AceRnhbkjz8
After the death of her son, the mother is trapped in deep sorrow, and the world has lost its light, as if the night never ends. What lies ahead remains uncertain — where will they go from here?
On The Line | 抉擇 by Chew Boon Wai
Kelly’s world is at a crossroads as she navigates the weight of an unexpected pregnancy and a demanding career. Seeking refuge at her mother’s home, she finds herself facing more than just her future: she must reconcile with the past, as the silent threads of love and sacrifice begin to reveal themselves in the spaces between words.
Metronorm by Danial Nawawi
The story follows four suspects, each from different walks of life – a teacher, a truck driver, a food delivery rider, and an office worker who are being questioned about their involvement in a group assault. One by one, they are interrogated by an investigator. As each session unfolds, flashbacks begin to reveal their true roles in the incident.
DENGAR BANG$@*! by Nur Nasuha binti Fairus
Living alone to survive in the city for many years and unfairly forced to resign from his work – the only thing that he has – Aman has to decide between two difficult choices: save his career or fight the unfair forces who pushed him into the darkest corners of his mind.
Still, The Same by Ronald Chan Jun Chuan
In the midst of a looming divorce, a woman conceals a deeper, untold story. Struggling with a hoarding disorder, she navigates her chaotic environment in search of a way to survive both emotionally and mentally. Will she find a path to reclaim control of her life, or will her disorder consume her completely?
With the announcement of these 10 finalists, voting for the People’s Choice Award is officially open. Aside from watching the finalists’ works online, you can also catch the public screening of all 10films at REXKL on 7 December at 3.30PM. Voting will stay open until 6PM on the same day, before the BMW Shorties awards ceremony takes place later that night.
Aside from the Grand Prize awards, BMW Shorties will also be giving out prizes in the Supporting Awards, encompassing eight categories which are Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, Best Story, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Student Shorties.
Head over to the BMW Shorties official website to learn more about the competition, the Grand Prize, the finalists, and the Supporting Awards.
Header image: Film still from ‘DENGAR BANG$@*!’
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