MIFFest partners with BMW Group Malaysia for the 17th year of the BMW Shorties

6 Mar – The 6th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) has announced a series of activities for this year's festival.

In a press conference held recently, the organiser revealed this year's theme, New Take, the first collaboration with the BMW Shorties, TikTok Malaysia as the official partner of MIFFest, the renewed collaboration with the Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, as well as Malaysia's renowned actor Mr. Bront Palarae as the festival's ambassador.

It is noted that Bront has been the festival's ambassador for four times, and more.

Bront Palarae is embassador for the 6th MIFFest

Speaking about becoming the ambassador again this year, the actor stated, "Now that we are well into the post-epidemic era, there is nothing more needed in the industry than more passionate and creative filmmakers and storytellers. I sincerely hope that the first three years of the epidemic have not caused creators to lose faith in cinema, but to look forward to this moment, ready to start their New Take."

MIFFest also announced a new partnership with the BMW Shorties, a creative initiative by BMW Group Malaysia to discover and support emerging local talents in film and digital content in Malaysia.

As the most recognisable short film competition in Malaysia, the BMW Shorties has been ensuring a sustainable industry development, optimisation of talent visibility and the revival of the Malaysian cinema. The platform has served numerous emerging filmmakers and digital content creators to creatively bring their ideas and stories to life.

Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, "We drew inspiration from our 2022 theme, RE:IMAGINE, where a new generation of creative talents incorporated unique experiences from the pandemic into their storytelling. Their creativity and adaptability showed us that innovation can emerge from any circumstance, with tremendous potential waiting to be unearthed in this ever-evolving creative industry. Much like the lens of Forwardism embraced by the BMW Group, the BMW Shorties thrives on challenging today's common conventions, with creative thinkers who dare to bring forward to the present the breakthroughs of tomorrow. That is why our theme for this year is EVOLVE."

Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia announced the 2023 theme

The Grand Prize Winner of the short film and digital content competition will receive RM80,000 in production grant, and filmmaking talents will also be recognised across a range of supporting awards. The BMW Shorties will officially open for entries from April 1, 2023. For more details, please visit MIFFest's official website and social media platforms.

On the other hand, MIFFest and the festival's partner Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, have continued to deliver good news this year, with special screenings of Malaysian films and exchanges between filmmakers. Both festivals hope to continue to bring new sparks through the concept of "From East To West".

In addition, MIFFest will continue to support local films, so that more people from all over the world can see the beauty and significance of Malaysian cinema together.

MIFFest has also confirmed that it will be held at Lalaport BBCC from 23 to 29 July this year, and the awards ceremony, the Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA), will be held at Zepp Kuala Lumpur on 29 July.

Bront Palarae with MIFFest founder and chairperson Joanne Goh