If you are an aspiring filmmaker with a visionary idea or are looking for a platform to display your artistic talent to the world, make a bid for glory in the BMW Shorties 2019.
Launched in Malaysia in late 2006 by the premium automaker, the BMW Shorties is a platform for Malaysian short film makers to explore their talent.
Since then, it has grown to be an anticipated annual filmmaking event in Malaysia, with productions from the competition having been put on show in film festivals in Cannes, Rome, New York, Rotterdam and Dubai.
It provides Malaysian filmmakers with access to international film making networks and is a platform for young Malaysians to cultivate their social conscience.
In addition, the BMW Shorties has and continues to lay the groundwork for local Malaysian film talents and digital content creators to build their reputation in the emerging digital media industry.
Sashi Ambi, BMW Group Malaysia’s corporate communications head, said, “The creative mind drives the innovation of the world today and the BMW Shorties is an initiative to inspire, discover and support emerging creative talents here in Malaysia.”
How to participate
The theme for this year’s BMW Shorties is “Uncharted”, with the grand discovery and celebration of pursuit symbolising the combination of curiosity and tenacity.
Entries will be critiqued by a panel of five judges.
The grand prize winner will walk away with RM80,000 in production grants and recognition for filmmaking talent will be awarded in a line-up of supporting categories.
The BMW Shorties 2019 will accept entries of short films until Oct 11, 2019 at 6pm.
To submit your entry or to get further information, head over to www.bmwshorties.com.my.
Keep yourself updated by visiting www.facebook.com/bmwshorties and www.instagram.com/bmwshorties.
Past winners and their work
Among the previous winners of the BMW Shorties are:
1. Zahir Omar, BMW Shorties 2007 Grand Prize Winner
With his surrealist depiction of drug abuse and death in “K-Hole”, Zahir Omar took home the RM50,000 grand prize to fund another short film, “Teddy & I”.
After directing television commercials, he directed the critically acclaimed crime thriller “Fly By Night” which premiered in April 2019.
The film has since been featured in multiple film festivals, is streamed on Netflix and was nominated for Best Asian Film at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival.
2. Shanjhey Kumar, BMW Shorties 2009 Grand Prize Winner
A veteran television programme writer and director, Shanjhey Kumar won the BMW Shorties with “Ma Chai” – a comedic depiction of life in a multiracial community.
The production grant he won was used to make “Jagat” which was later developed into a critically acclaimed feature.
Despite resource and budget constraints, “Jagat” won the Best Malaysian Film Award at the 28th Malaysian Film Festival and sparked the removal of non-Bahasa Malaysia award categories to allow an equal playing field for all filmmakers.
3. Chen Yih Wen, BMW Shorties 2010 Grand Prize Winner
BMW Shorties’ first and only female winner, Chen Yih Wen’s winning entry, “Like Toy Dolls” was screened at the Festival de Cannes 2011 and has appeared at other film festivals.
Now a senior producer and documentary maker for The Star, her documentary, “The Hidden Cut”, won the “Excellence in Reporting on Women’s Issues” award at the SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence.
Her feature length documentary on the Malaysian blind football team, “Eye on the Ball” will be released locally at the end of this year and has already been recognised in several film festivals.
4. Quek Shio Chuan, BMW Shorties 2011 Grand Prize Winner
Quek Shio Chuan’s winning short film, “Guang”, was about the difficult life of an autistic man and his brother in Kuala Lumpur and it won him the Best Short Film Award at the prestigious 6th Alto Vincentino Film Festival in Italy.
The film was remade into a feature-length film that was screened internationally.
Other than directing commercials for corporate clients, he is scheduled to direct an original series for Netflix entitled, “The Ghost Bride”.