'Imaginur' is named as Best Film at this year's Malaysia Film Festival. Photo: Bernama
The film Imaginur has emerged as the winner of the Best Film category at the 33rd Malaysia Film Festival (FFM33), held on Saturday (Dec 7) at Auditorium Seri Angkasa, Angkasapuri Kota Media, in Kuala Lumpur.
The film triumphed over six other strong contenders in the category, including Abang Adik, Sheriff, Rain Town, Mechamato, Duan Nago Bogho and Hungry Ghost Diner.
This victory entitled the film, directed by Nik Amir Mustapha, to receive a Creative Content Fund (DKK) worth RM500,000 along with a trophy.
Nik Amir also won the Best Director award on that night.
The film further scored five additional awards at FFM33, including Best Art Direction (Rabbani Sujak), Best Theme Song (Hasrat), Best Editing (Johan Arif Mazlan), Best Actor (Beto Kusyairy) and Best Original Story (Redza Minhat and Nik Amir Mustapha).
In his acceptance speech, Nik Amir thanked the cast, crew, and all involved for their dedication.
"Thank you to the cast, crew, and everyone involved. Everyone was truly committed to making this film a success. Thank you to the jury, Finas, and all the viewers who supported our film. Without you, we wouldn’t be here," he said.
Meanwhile, Abang Adik won five awards, including Best Supporting Actor (Jack Tan), Best Costume Design (Elaine Ng), and Best Makeup/Hairstyling (Ng Keok Cheng).
Director Jin Ong also won two awards: Most Promising Director and Best Screenplay.
Abang Adik, directed by Jin Ong, won in five categories at FFM33. Photo: Bernama
The film Sheriff also performed well, bagging four awards: Best Supporting Actress (Elizabeth Tan), Best Cinematography (Rahimi Maidin), Best Visual Effects (Viper Studios), and the Special Box Office Film Award.
The Best Actress award went to Susan Lankester for Rain Town, while Best New Actress was awarded to Trisha Ooi (Janna Enduro) and Best New Actor to Aniq Durar (Pagari Bulan).
Veteran actor A. Galak was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving RM10,000 and a trophy presented by his close friend and producer, Datuk Yusof Haslam.
With the theme Gold – The Evolution of Malaysian Cinema, FFM33 received 104 entries, with 95 nominations competing. This included 64 feature films, 20 short films, and 11 documentaries. Winners of all categories received cash prizes of RM5,000 and a trophy.
The event was attended by prominent figures such as the Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Finas Chairman Datuk Kamil Othman, and Finas CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin.
Hosted by Datuk AC Mizal, FFM33 was broadcast live on TV2 and Finas’ YouTube channel, featuring performances by popular singers like Dayang Nurfaizah, Nikki Palikat, Aisha Retno, Aizat Amdan, Haqiem Rusli, Aina Abdul, and more.
FFM33 Winners List:
Best Film: Imaginur (Nik Amir Mustapha)
Best Director: Nik Amir Mustapha (Imaginur)
Best Actor: Beto Kusyairy (Imaginur)
Best Actress: Susan Lankester (Rain Town)
Best Supporting Actor: Jack Tan (Abang Adik)
Best Supporting Actress: Elizabeth Tan (Sheriff)
Best New Actor: Aniq Durar (Pagari Bulan)
Best New Actress: Trisha Ooi (Janna Enduro)
Most Promising Director: Jin Ong (Abang Adik)
Best Child Actor: Qisya Hairulzain (Magik)
Best Cinematography: Rahimi Maidin (Sheriff)
Best Screenplay: Jin Ong (Abang Adik)
Best Original Story: Redza Minhat & Nik Amir Mustapha (Imaginur)
Best Art Direction: Rabbani Sujak (Imaginur)
Best Sound Design: Mechamato Movie (Nizam Razak)
Best Editing: Johan Arif Mazlan (Imaginur)
Best Theme Song: Hasrat (Imaginur) by Amir Jahari
Best Original Score: Jakey Yow (Malbatt: Misi Bakara)
Best Visual Effects: Viper Studios (Sheriff)
Best Poster: Walid (Layar Pictures Sdn Bhd)
Best Costume Design: Elaine Ng (Abang Adik)
Best Makeup/Hairstyling: Ng Keok Cheng (Abang Adik)
Best Documentary: Pekik (Stereo Pixels Sdn Bhd)
Best Short Film: The Missing Trophy (Wayang Works Sdn Bhd)
Special Box Office Film Award: Sheriff
Special Jury Awards: Naam Katra Isai and Duan Nago Bogho
Lifetime Achievement Award: A. Galak
Special Filmmaker Award: Indra Che Muda
