JURY PANEL FOR FINAL STAGE

Suhasini Maniratnam is a prominent actor, writer, director, and film producer from South India. Notably, she was the first female student to study cinematography at the Madras Film Institute. Over her career, she has acted in more than 350 films across four South Indian languages, earning numerous state awards and the prestigious Indian President’s Award for Best Actress. Her directorial debut, Indira, won the Best International Award at the Minsk Film Festival in Belarus. Beyond films, Maniratnam has directed various TV serials, web series, and short films. She has curated for the Dubai Film Festival and co-coordinated for the Berlin Film Festival. She also serves on the board of the Chennai International Film Festival and is the Honorary Consul for Luxembourg. In addition to her work in film, she runs the Naam Trust, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering single women in South India. She produces films and collaborates with her husband through their production company, Madras Talkies. Their recent successes include Ponniyin Selvan 1 and Ponniyin Selvan 2, which have set new records at the Tamil box office.

Felix CHONG is a renowned screenwriter and film director from Hong Kong. He is highly celebrated and has received numerous prestigious awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards. His best known movie Project Gutenberg which won the Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay in 38th HKFAA. His other notable screenplay works include Infernal Affairs series, Initial D, Confession of Pain and Overheard series.

Zhang is a Professor and teaches in Beijing Film Academy, and the Film School of China Academy of Fine Arts. In recent years, Zhang has produced or acted in films including Tarlho, Home Road, Girls Always Happy, Manchurian Tiger, Beyond Clouds, The Land Behind, Nanjing Fantasy, Daily Life, etc. He was a juror of Asia-Pacific Screening Awards (APSA) and Asian Network of Documentary (AND). Zhang is dedicated to promoting Chinese art films. He has programmed Chinese films show in a dozen countries.

Kong Rithdee began his career in 1996 as a culture writer for the English-language The Bangkok Post, covering film, literature, and visual art. He contributed to various international film magazines from the late 1990s to the present. From 2019 until today, he’s taken the position of deputy director at Thai Film Archive, a preservation and educational agency, while continuing to write for several English- and Thai-language publications. Kong collaborated with his friends Panu Aree and Kaweenipon Ketprasith to direct several documentary films that deal with the subject of Muslim minority in Thailand. Their films The Convert was screened as various film festivals including Busan, Vancouver, and Hawaii; while their short documentary Gaddafi was shown at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam or IDFA. Their recent collaboration is a Muslim horror film The Cursed Land, slated to open in early 2024. Kong has served on the jury of several film festivals over the past two decades, including Rotterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Jeonju, Busan, Vancouver, Dubai and many more.

Zul Ariffin began his acting career in 2008 with a role in popular television series “Gerak Khas”. Zul was then cast for an Astro Shaw – Grand Brilliance film, “Penanggal”, which earned him the Best Newcomer Award in the 2014 Malaysian Film Festival.

In 2014, Zul also starred in hit drama “Rindu Awak 200%” which bagged him the Favourite Male Actor in a Drama Series award at the 2015 Anugerah Meletop Era. Since then, Zul has been nominated for numerous awards and won the “Best Male Actor” award in the 31st Malaysian Film Festival.

Recently, Zul Ariffin’s latest performance in the film “Sheriff” had a huge influence in Malaysia that it triggered “Demam Sheriff”. The film has quickly climb up the box office with an impressive collection of RM16.3 million just after four days of screenings and currently has dominated the cinema in Malaysia with a collection of RM62.5 MILLION to date.

JURY PANEL FOR SEMI-FINAL STAGE

Taipei-born filmmaker, MFA Film graduate from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia (2011). Since 2009, he directed acclaimed shorts, such as BRAID, premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2011, earned international accolades, including the DGA Student Film Award. His debut feature, APOLITICAL ROMANCE, a Tisch Asia thesis, premiered at Far East Festival in 2013, competing for Taipei Film Award. In 2014, he directed LUCA for TAIPEI FACTORY II at Venice Film Festival. His latest, TAKE ME TO THE MOON, hit theaters in 2017. With a prolific festival history, he continues making a mark in global cinema.

Kamal Sabran is a Malaysian artist and academic, holding a PhD in Art and Design (New Media) from Universiti Teknologi MARA. His work bridges art, science, and technology, focusing on art-based interventions for mental health. Known for his experimental music, performance art, and electronic installations, he has received accolades such as the Malaysian National Art Gallery’s “Best New Media Artist Award” in 2004 and the “Best NOKIA Music Video Director” award in 2005. Kamal has been Artist-in-Residence at the Malaysian National Space Agency and musician-in-residence at the 18th Street Art Center in Santa Monica, California. Invited to the Venice Art Biennale in 2022, he also founded the “Space Gambus Experiment” for experimental music and the Ipoh Experimental Art School. He has scored films and edits the Wacana Seni Arts Discourse Journal while teaching as a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang.

Scott recently joined Astro Productions, bringing 35 years of experience continuously working in the film and television industry in post-production and production mainly in Malaysia. He founded, owned and operated Basecamp Films, which was Malaysia’s primary long-form post-production company between 2008-2023. He is an experienced project manager and capable supervisor with a proven track record in file-based, long-form post-production and feature film workflow processes.

Earlier in his career, he was recognised as an expert in motion control cinematography, and a capable film DOP with a portfolio of over 100 television commercial credits spanning the Asian region.

He is a firm believer that quality comes from good planning, in finding new efficient work-flows wherever practical and that Malaysia will finally have its breakout successes over the next few years.

JEREMIAH FOO is a film critique, producer, writer, composer and educator based in Malaysia, Japan and China. His recent work as a writer/ producer with directors has won multiple awards internationally including the International Jury Award for Best Short Film at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival. Jeremiah has devoted more than 20 years to educating and developing filmmaking and content creating talents in Asia. Jeremiah is also Advisor to the Shantou Film Industry Association, and TIFAF film festival, and a member of the Creative Writers Guild of Malaysia.

Mahen Bala is a filmmaker based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His films have been screened at international film festivals and are noted for their insights into the human condition, juxtaposed against the rich cultural and historical background of Malaysia. He has also worked as a cinematographer on award-winning short films. His debut feature documentary, The Dreamers, explores truths and falsehoods in filmmaking in Malaysia.

PRELIMINARY SELECTION COMMITTEE

From left to right: Aw See Wee, Charles Kuay, Elson Tomas, Feisal Azizuddin, Mira Mustaffa, Roger Liew, Syalikh Nazrul, Tan Meng Kheng, Tan Xin Yung, Tony Pietra Arjuna, Victor Chen, Yasmin Suleiman

Aw See Wee
Writer, Director
Aw See Wee was born into a ceramic making family in Malaysia. He studied filmmaking at the National Taiwan University of Arts. His film works mostly focus on human relationships as well as social phenomenon. Former works have been screened at festivals such as Camerimage, FAJR Film Festival, Cinema-Verite, Clermont-Ferrand, Busan BISFF, and Oaxaca Filmfest. By exploring different ways of storytelling, See Wee is currently developing a fiction feature film as well as documentaries and animation. Aside from directing, See Wee is also involved in many projects in location sound, sound design & cinematography that have helped him to experience more and improve his visual and audio storytelling skills. He was also the guest lecturer at the New Era University College and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

Charles Kuay
Film Critic
A seasoned film critic, possessing experience across different media platforms such as newspaper, television,radio, advertising agency and magazine, and curated and contributed to more than 10 columns of various genres.

Elson Tomas
Editor, Director
Elson Tomas is a seasoned freelance Director for Film & Video, Editor, and Sound Engineer with 26 years of experience. Specializing in mixing and color grading, Elson holds a Professional Certificate in Directing, Script Writing, Editing, Visual Compositing, and Surround. Elson has received numerous accolades, including the Anugerah Profima 2017 for Best Visual Effects and the Astro Raaga Award 2010 for Best Music Video. His expertise extends to surround mixing for film, including Dolby Atmos and 2K Digital Cinema Encoding.

Feisal Azizuddin
Producer, Writer, Director
Feisal is a filmmaker based in Malaysia. He has produced feature films available on Netflix, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Viu and Astro. His short films mostly explore social issues in Malaysia, such as baby-selling, custodial deaths and conversion therapy. His work has been screened in festivals such as Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, Monterrey International Film Festival, Bangkok ASEAN Film Festival, Mini Film Festival, Kinosaurus Jakarta and George Town Festival. His short film, CAN YOU LOVE ME MOST? won the award for the Best Short Film at the 32nd Festival Film Malaysia in 2022. In 2019, Feisal was selected as a Fellow by Busan Asian Film School for their International Film Business program. In December 2019, his project ‘ANGKAT’ was selected for the Southeast Asian Film Financing Project Market 2019 in Singapore and won the AV8 award. Feisal was also selected for the Luang Prabang Talent Lab 2019, in collaboration with the Tribeca Film Institute. There he won the top prize, the Aurora Producing Award by Aurora Media Group. Feisal is also a Fellow of Freedom Film Network 2023.

Mira Mustaffa
Writer
Mira is a prolific writer and producer who has been part of the Malaysian film and television industry for the past two decades. She currently heads the Film & Special Projects Development at Primeworks Studios. Mira’s first feature film Cinta won Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Editing as well as Best Film awards at the 20th Malaysian Film Festival. Cinta was also featured in international film festivals and subsequently adapted into an Indonesian film, Love. Cinta was followed by equally successful Sepi, Nur Kasih, Pulang and Sangkar. Mira’s writing has garnered nominations and wins from the Malaysian Film Festival, Anugerah Skrin, Shout Awards, Pesta Perdana, and Asian Television Awards.

Roger Liew
Writer, Director, Lecturer
Roger Liew, hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is an independent filmmaker and educator. After earning an MFA in Filmmaking from the Los Angeles-based New York Film Academy in 2015, Roger launched his career with his debut feature “Adam Ashburn’s Showreel,” in 2021. Currently servinxg as Program Leader of the Digital Filmmaking Programme in Sunway University, Roger passionately guides the next generation of filmmakers, shaping the industry’s future. His commitment to both filmmaking and education underscores his dedication to advancing the craft.

Syalikh Nazrul
Writer, Director
After graduating from University Tenaga Nasional with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Syalikh left the corporate world after serving almost seven years to pursue his dream in writing and filmmaking. In this modern world, everything is just one YouTube video away. That’s how he learnt to write a screenplay! The first short film he wrote and co-directed won the Best Short Film in DFKL 2017. Down the road, he had written and directed a few short films until he landed his first 13-episode Malay TV drama for RTM. Recently, he was nominated in Best Screenplay and Best Director category in the BWMShorties 2022 short film, ‘RED IS THE COLOR I DON’T WANT TO SEE’, and the film won the People’s Choice Award.

Tan Meng Kheng
Actor, Producer
Tan Meng Kheng is an actor, producer, emcee and a Drama facilitator. He first discovered his passion for acting while he was in secondary school. Some of his more notable performances have been as part of the main cast in Kudeta, How Not To Lose Your Job, playing multiple supporting characters in theatre as Mr. Wong & Mr. Gan in the award-winning Boh Cameronian Arts Awards Best of 2019 play, PohLiThik, and Joe Pitt in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches.

He recently produced his first ever feature film called Mentega Terbang (Flutterby), an Official Selection, Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival 2021 and Closing Film for Aceh Film Festival 2022 under Meng Kheng Entertainment. Before that, he produced his first short film with Sidney Chan called TINAPA (This Is Not A Petrol Ad) which won Best Overall Production, Best Director and Best Script in the Short & Sweet Festival 2019 Film Category.

Tan Xin Ying
Cultural Advisor
Tan Xin Ying, a graduate from the Communication University of China with a degree of Directing in Film, has worn many hats throughout her career — from NGO worker, media professional, and political activist to city council member, project producer, chief editor, and community event organizer. However, her love for movies has remained constant. She once said, “Though the dream of becoming a director is still waiting to be pursued, why not start by simply enjoying every film?”

Tony Pietra Arjuna
Director
Tony’s first foray into features were in two omnibus projects: The Malaysian-made Cuak and the international Train Station. A trio of co-directing efforts followed: Safari Mall, Red Storm and The Dark Eye. Shadowplay was his “solo” directorial debut; a neo-noir detective mystery that was digitally released in North America. It was followed by Devoted, a drama/thriller saga on Viu Malaysia. Recently, Tony was one of the episodic directors on the Astro Shaw whodunit, Murder by Moonlight. He fully helmed Persepsi, a psychological suspense series for Skop Productions. His next film is a US-based indie anthology titled The Face of Gone.

Victor Chen
Film Practitioner
“My Ba’s Radio” as his directorial debut short film was screened at Short Shorts Film Festival (Japan) among other international accolades. His producing credits include “Mindframe”, “阿嬤 Ah Ma”, “Inmates” and “男孩 Boys”, with the former awarded Judges Honourable Mention at BMW Shorties 2022, and the latter three selected as Top Ten Finalists with 13 nominations and 5 wins at BMW Shorties 2023, and screened at the 6th Malaysia International Film Festival. As chairperson of UTAR Film Club, he has organised, programmed and moderated outdoor cinema, film discussion and workshops.

Yasmin Suleiman
VFX Producer
With 30 years of expertise in design and media, Yasmin has navigated diverse roles from co-running a graphic design company for a decade to her current position as the CEO and Producer of Studio Voxel. Beginning her career in retail marketing, she transitioned to the TV entertainment scene in the early 90s as an art director before establishing her graphic design firm. Yasmin’s current focus is on leading Studio Voxel, specializing in Visual Effects, with a 16 year background in VFX and post-production. Actively diversifying the company into content creation and film production, Yasmin combines her vision with a practical understanding of well-defined budgets, cultivated through close collaboration with film productions.

Yasmin is diversifying into animation and film production of which she aims to push creative boundaries through the integration of emerging technologies. She aspires to elevate the distinction of Malaysian films with the convergence of great stories to tell with design, media, and technology.