By: Mohamad Letfee Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5: The recent triumph of Babah at the 34th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM-34), winning six awards out of nine nominations, proves that a film which combines strong narrative, direction and acting into a mature cinematic package is capable of captivating the jury and earning the title of Best Film.
Babah’s sweeping victory defeated four other contenders, Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, Takluk: Lahad Datu, Soloz: Game of Life, and Reversi. This victory qualified its producer, Nads Media Entertainment, to receive a RM1 million Creative Content Fund (DKD) grant.
This is the highest prize ever awarded in FFM history, marking a significant moment for the local film industry. It is not merely a symbolic trophy, but also an incentive to encourage the production of high-quality future works.
In addition to Best Film, Babah also dominated four other major categories: Best Actor (Qi Razali), Best Actress (Sweet Qismina), Best Screenplay (Wan Rafiq), and Best Original Story (Nadia Nadzri), while its director, Mohd. Shah Faizul, received the Most Promising Director Award.
Interestingly, despite Babah winning in four key categories, screenplay, original story, and both lead acting awards, its director did not win Best Director. The jury still favoured veteran filmmakers with years of experience and an extensive body of work.
The Best Director title was awarded to Syafiq Yusof and Abhilash Chandra, a reflection of how experience played a decisive role. Syafiq was also nominated in the same category for his work on Soloz: Game of Life.
While Babah excelled in storytelling and performance, its closest competitor, Blood Brothers: Bara Naga, stood out in technical and directing categories. Besides Best Director, the film won Best Supporting Actor (Syafiq Kyle and Syazwan Zulkifly), Best Cinematography (Nicholas Chin), Best Theme Song (Bara Jiwa), Best Stunt Direction (Defenderz Action Team), and the Special Box Office Award (RM73.6 million in ticket sales).
A new category, Best Stunt Direction, introduced at FFM-34, is a timely step in recognising the skills of local stunt professionals who have long contributed to the growth of the national film industry. This is expected to further expand creative opportunities for Malaysian talents to compete with imported films in the future.
No edition of FFM would be complete without honouring industry veterans. This year, two distinguished figures received special recognition: Datuk Ahmad Tamimi Siregar, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 50 years of contribution to cinema, and Hassan Abd. Muthalib, widely regarded as the “Father of Malaysian Animation”, who received the Special Artiste Award.
Amid the celebration of veteran filmmakers receiving honorary awards, the FFM-34 jury also spotted the rise of new faces set to colour the nation’s film landscape. Among the standouts were Amir Ahnaf (Most Promising Actor), Michelle Lungan (Most Promising Actress), and Puteri Rafasya (Best Child Actor).
With 41 feature films, 26 short films and 23 documentaries competing, and RM5,000 cash prizes for 27 award categories plus RM10,000 for special award recipients, FFM-34, held under the theme “Karya Kreatif, Sinema Dinamik” showed progress in its organisation.
Additional rewards in the form of RM20,000 worth of FINAS facility rental were given to seven categories: Most Promising Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Director, and Best Film, an effort that clearly signals intent to ensure FFM continues to create long-term impact for the local film industry.
Full Results of FFM-34:
Best Film: Babah
Best Director: Syafiq Yusof and Abhilash Chandra – Blood Brothers: Bara Naga
Best Actor: Qi Razali – Babah
Best Actress: Sweet Qismina – Babah
Best Supporting Actor: Syafiq Kyle and Syazwan Zulkifly – Blood Brothers: Bara Naga
Best Supporting Actress: Ellie Suriaty – Telaga Suriram
Most Promising Actor: Amir Ahnaf – Kahar: Kapla High Council
Most Promising Actress: Michelle Lungan – Tegkang
Most Promising Director: Mohd Shah Faizul – Babah
Best Child Actor: Puteri Rafasya – Telaga Suriram
Best Screenplay: Wan Rafiq – Babah
Best Original Story: Nadia Nadzri – Babah
Best Editing: Ariff Aiman Azahar, Nazifdin Nasrudin, and Syafiq Yusof – Soloz: Game of Life
Best Cinematography: Nicholas Chin – Blood Brothers: Bara Naga
Best Theme Song: Bara Jiwa – Blood Brothers: Bara Naga
Best Original Score: Muhammad Zaoff Sharqil, Donald Bangkong, Teoh Eng Hooi, Azri Yunus, Mohammad Raziz, Mohd Idham, Megat Sazali and Ahmad Huzaini – Soloz: Game of Life
Best Sound Design: Mohsin Othman – Soloz: Game of Life
Best Production Design: Wan Zulkifli Wan Salleh – Kulit Wayang
Best Costume Design: Farah Syaliq – Mencari Ramlee
Best Makeup: Ella Sandera – Takluk: Lahad Datu
Best Visual Effects: Jehcob and Sam – Soloz: Game of Life
Best Stunt Direction: Defenderz Action Team – Blood Brothers: Bara Naga
Best Poster: Tegkang
Best Short Film: Saranghae
Best Documentary: Rindu Tak Berpenghujung
Special Artiste Award: Hassan Abd. Muthalib
Lifetime Achievement Award: Datuk Ahmad Tamimi Siregar
Special Jury Award 1: Ejen Ali: Wow Animations and Primeworks Sdn Bhd
Special Jury Award 2: Takluk: Lahad Datu (Multimedia Film Production)
–WE