28 Sep – Even before it opens in its home country, "Guang" is already making Malaysia proud on the international stage as it recently nabbed two big awards at the 13th Chinese Youth Generation Film Forum in Wu Han, China. "The award is definitely a great encouragement, my biggest wish is that this film can really touch the audience and arouse public attention to the issue of autism, this is the final appeal of my film," said Quek Shio Chuan in a statement. Quek took home the Best New Director award for his feature directorial debut, which took him two years to make based on his BMW Shorties 2011-winning short film of the same name and is inspired by his personal experience with his autistic brother, Quek Shio Gai.
"Guang" was nominated for Best Film, Best New Director, Best New Cinematographer and Best New Actor for Kyo Chen Chong Wei and Ernest Chong Shun Yuan.
Kyo nabbed the second accolade for the movie, winning the Best New Actor award for his portrayal as the autistic main character Wen Guang. "As a Chinese actor in Malaysia, it is fortunate to be in involved in a good production and make it to this international stage. But for most of us, we are lacking of opportunity and have to face the reality of life," said Kyo. "Therefore, as a Malaysian actor, I urge all the producers and film directors, I hope that your attention can be turned to us in Malaysia and have more cooperation in the future so that Malaysia film industry can be as powerful as China!" "Guang" was also previously selected to be part of two international film festivals, the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival and Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival 2018. Director Quek, in fact, had to rush from the latter festival in Japan to join Kyo at the youth film festival in China. "Guang" is hitting the big screens in Malaysia this 29 November.