The BMW Shorties, Malaysia’s longest running and most prestigious short film competition today announced the Top Ten Finalists of its seventh year of competition. The finalists were selected from a pool of 71 short film submissions which are now also in the running to win the People’s Choice Award which will be open to public voting from 22 November 2013.
“Since the competition’s inauguration in 2007, the BMW Shorties has now, to date received a total of 540 short films from Malaysians from all walks of life and we are thrilled that the quality of submissions just keep getting better and better.” said Dr. Gerhard Pils, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Malaysia.
With the theme ‘Inspiration’, this year’s BMW Shorties sought to encourage film makers to inspire their fellow Malaysians to bring their imagination to life through the impactful art of storytelling and creative film making. As in previous years, the BMW Shorties’ call to action attracted participants throughout Malaysia – from student film makers, hobbyist and media professionals to career film makers and even everyday Malaysians, all of whom share the passion and desire to share their thoughts and ideas.
“All of us at BMW are extremely proud of what the BMW Shorties has achieved and contributed here in the country. The program has been very successful due to the talent, hard work and passion of its participants, as well as the thousands of Malaysians who are either actively involved in or supportive of the competition.” added Dr. Pils.
From the perspective of the BMW Shorties panel of judges which comprises of renowned industry professionals Lina Tan, Sharifah Amani, Nandita Solomon, Sharad Sharan and Wong Hui Lin, this year’s edition of Malaysia’s most prestigious short film competition also stood apart for the overall increase in quality of short film submissions.
“We spent a whole Sunday in a boardroom deliberating on the films this year and we were amazed at the diversity and creativity through which the theme of ‘inspiration’ was interpreted. The margins between winning films were also very close this year which led to an unprecedented level of debate amongst the judges.” said industry leading producer and director Lina Tan who this year, sits on the BMW Shorties panel of judges for the third time.
Fellow judge Sharifah Amani, meanwhile, said, “As filmmakers ourselves, we understand the importance a support structure to assist new filmmakers in finding their footing here in the country. I am proud of the effort and commitment which our participants have put into their work this year and am grateful to BMW Group Malaysia for continuing to provide this platform which has given talented Malaysians the opportunity to share their talent and passion for film making with the world.”
The BMW Shorties 2013 Top 10 Finalists in no particular order are as follows:
- ‘32 Degrees Fall In Love’ by Tan Seng Kiat
- ‘Crossing the Artic’ by Zahariz bin Khuzaimah
- ‘Guest Room’ by Danny Chong Ka Yung
- ‘Heard’ by Chai Chang Fook
- ‘Hidup Bersama’ by Lau Ming Yeow
- ‘Qing Yi’ by Mugunthan A/L Loganathan
- ‘Thanks for Saving Me’ by Tan Ce Ding
- ‘The Boy Who Rocked The World’ by Paul Gan Yew Hoe
- ‘The Fancy Ah Boy’ by Moh Chee Loong
- ‘The Painting’ by Yiewin Kang
The BMW Shorties 2013 Supporting Award nominees in no particular order are:
Best Director
– Tan Seng Kiat for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Zahariz bin Khuzaimah for Crossing the Artic
– Tan Ce Ding for Thanks for Saving Me
– Paul Gan Yew Hoe for The Boy Who Rocked the World
Best Cinematography
– Terrence Liew for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Zahariz Khuzaimah for Crossing the Artic
– Chong Meng Yong for Hidup Bersama
– Paul Gan Yew Hoe for The Boy Who Rocked the World
– Brian Lee for The Painting
Best Screenplay
– Tan Seng Kiat for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Tan Ce Ding & Mallory Lee for Thanks for Saving Me
– Paul Gan Yew Hoe for The Boy Who Rocked the World
Best Editing
– Michelle Cheong Chi Yen for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Zoh Hii and Brad Chai for Heard
– Tan Ce Ding for Thanks for Saving Me
– Teh Kah Chun and Paul Gan for The Boy Who Rocked the World
– Irvine Kwang, CK Siang and Jun Wei for The Painting
Best Production Design
– Terrence Liew for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Alvin Ong for Thanks for Saving Me
– Paul Gan Yew Hoe for The Boy Who Rocked the World
– Enzo Ong for The Painting
Best Sound Design
– Aw See Wee for 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Chan GF for Guest Room
– Nick Davis for The Boy Who Rocked the World
– Jeslin for The Painting
Best Actor
– Alvin Wong as the Store Manager in 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Faiq Hazeeq as Aiman in The Boy Who Rocked the World
– Kelvin Tan as Kelvin Tan in Heard
– Koe Shern as the Security Guard in 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Chin Fong as the Father in The Painting
Best Actress
– Cecilia as the Mistress in The Painting
– Emily Chen as the Storekeeper in 32 Degrees Fall in Love
– Lim Mei Fen as Evon in Thanks for Saving Me
– Yew Lan as the Grandmother in 32 Degrees Fall in Love
The BMW Shorties 2013 Top 10 Finalists short films and directors’ commentaries are now available for viewing on the BMW Shorties website(www.bmwshorties.com.my). Members of the public are also invited to decide the winner of the final BMW Shorties Award still up for grabs, the People’s Choice Award which opens for voting from 22nd Nov to 3rd Dec 2013. The winners of this year’s BMW Shorties will be unveiled at the BMW Shorties Awards Night which will be held on the 3rd of December 2013.
To find out more about BMW Shorties, visit the BMW Shorties website (http://www.bmwshorties.com.my) or BMW Shorties Facebook page at (www.facebook.com/bmwshorties).
