Eighth Malaysia International Film Festival opens with ‘Ninavau', a celebration of Sabahan storytelling
The evening, attended by filmmakers, jury members and celebrities, culminated in the screening of Ninavau — a feature film deeply rooted in Sabahan and Kadazan culture.
Festival ambassadors Siti Saleha, Daiyan Trisha, and Bront Palarae — who is returning for his eighth year — took the stage to welcome guests.
'First and foremost, it feels good to be back. What makes it special is we get to see [the festival] grow every year, strength by strength — and I think that's the most important thing,' said Bront.
'It also feels good that whenever I work abroad, I can promote the fact that we have a festival that not only showcases the beauty of KL, but also brings exciting movies to Malaysian audiences, especially those living in the city.'
This year's MIFFest ambassadors — Siti Saleha (centre), Daiyan Trisha (left) and returning ambassador Bront Palarae (right) — graced the opening stage. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Daiyan said it was an honour to be an ambassador this year.
'MIFFest is a platform and an opportunity to collaborate and to learn about each other's cultures, storytelling and languages,' she added.
Siti described the festival as more than just a celebration of cinema.
'MIFFest isn't just a festival — it's a bridge that connects all of us. We can connect stories, we can reach a global audience. It's just a great way to connect with filmmakers, a great platform to tell our stories, and it's very special,' she said.
Opening with a local story
MIFFest founder Joanne Goh shared why Ninavau was selected to open the festival.
'We think the story speaks to humanity, and this year we wanted to support Malaysian filmmakers — which is why we chose this film to open the festival,' she said.
'The story is touching; that's why we picked Ninavau.'
Originally a short film released in 2019, Ninavau follows a Kadazan woman who returns to Sabah for her sister's wedding — while quietly dealing with a life-altering personal transformation.
MIFFest founder Joanne Goh said 'Ninavau' was the perfect choice to open this year's festival. — Picture by Choo Choy May
The short version won Best Short Film at MIFFest 2019, prompting director Bebbra Mailin to expand it into a feature-length project.
'The first time watching the film was very emotional — I felt grateful,' said Bebbra.
'Because this is not just my work. I see it as a team effort. Many people collaborated on this project, and we just had an incredible team.'
Lead actress Jovenea Jim, who plays the title role, called Bebbra 'a strong and influential figure' and said she was honoured to be part of the film.
At one hour and 34 minutes, Ninavau set the tone for a week of storytelling from around the world.
62 films, 48 countries, 43 languages
Running until July 27, this year's MIFFest will showcase 62 films from 48 countries in over 43 languages.
'This year, our theme is 'Infinity' — a word that reflects the endless possibilities of cinema,' said Goh.
'Stories have the power to move us, challenge us, and bring us together,' she added.
'In times of division, film reminds us of what we all share: emotion, humanity, and hope. Let's celebrate not just movies, but the imagination, connection, and magic they bring.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Ji Seung-hyun looks forward to trying satay & laksa on his first visit to M'sia
He is in town as one of the presenters at the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival's awards ceremony. Photo:Ji Seung-hyun/Instagram Korean actor Ji Seung-hyun, who recently starred in the hit series Good Partner opposite Jang Na-ra, is in Malaysia for the 8th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest). He will be one of the presenters at the festival's awards ceremony tonight (July 26), co-presenting an award with Malaysian actress Lin Min Chen. During a press meet today at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the 43-year-old shared that he had just arrived in the early hours of the morning and hadn't had much sleep. 'I only got to my hotel around 4am. It's my first time here, so honestly, I don't even know exactly where I am yet,' he said with a smile. Still, he expressed excitement about exploring the city and sampling local cuisine during his visit. 'I've tried satay and nasi goreng in Indonesia before, but not in Malaysia,' he said, wondering if the taste is similar here. 'I'd love to try laksa too. I really enjoy trying local food whenever I travel, so I'm definitely looking forward to that.' Aside from presenting at the awards, The Worst of Evil star is also in town to speak about his next project, Bluefish , produced by Malaysian film producer Joanne Goh, the founder of MIFFest. The Pan-Asian collaboration, directed by Lee Sang-hoon and starring Ji in the lead role, is scheduled to begin filming in September. Ji recalled meeting Goh at another regional film festival. 'I was at the Tarang Asian Film Festival to introduce my new film, My Friend Is A Murderer. That's where I met Joanne. She's also the investor and distributor for my next project, and it was actually our first time meeting in person. 'She suggested I come to MIFFest – so this trip came together quite suddenly.' Although he hasn't had the chance to watch any of the festival's films yet, Ji believes collaborations between countries are incredibly meaningful. 'I'd love to return next year for MIFFest.' He also expressed hope to work on a Malaysian production in the future. 'Actually… how about a love story between Malaysia and Korea? That way, I can be in it too,' he said.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
INKSIDE: Zineyard brings Zine Fair magic to life with 25 local artists showcasing Indie masterpieces
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — It was a two-day event bursting with self-expression and creativity at INKSIDE: Zineyard, a vibrant zine fair held at Menara BAC, Petaling Jaya, from July 25 to 26. The event celebrated the power of handmade, independent art and brought together artists and admirers in a joyful showcase of DIY publishing — where 100 per cent of proceeds would go to the Orang Asli school project at Kampung Bumbun, Pulau Carey. If you've ever wondered what a zine fair is, it's a lively gathering where creators and enthusiasts meet to display, sell, and discuss self-published magazines, booklets, and artworks. Visitors can expect handmade creations, workshops, meet-and-greets with artists, and a community grounded in creativity, independence, and alternative culture. Indie artist Katun displayed his distinctive streetwear-meets-graffiti style at INKSIDE: Zineyard. — Photo by Raymond Manuel How the 'INKSIDE: Zineyard' came together INKSIDE: Zineyard came together as a final-year project by IACT College diploma students from the Mass Communication, Marketing and Advertising, and Digital Design courses — an idea sparked by their lecturer, Farah Izyan, who called it a perfect fit. 'Every year we will have a final year project where it would be an event, for this round, we knew we were going to do something artsy,' she said. 'There was an artist who stated there are not enough zine fairs in Malaysia — there are a lot of conventions and art conventions, but not a lot of zine-focused ones.' 'So we worked together and made this happen, and coincidentally, this month, July is international zine month, so it was a perfect time for us, in addition to having the support from local artists before even launching this event,' she added. The students' view of the event Gareth John, 22, a representative of the advertising students, said the event supports a growing community movement. 'It's something different, something meaningful—a chance to showcase everyone's creativity throughout the entire process.' Eunice Tang, 20, from the graphic design programme, and Amber, 21, a mass communication student, shared that the fair allowed students to highlight their individual strengths. 'Some students excel in design, others in organising or planning, and this event brought all those skills together,' Tang said. 'For graphic design students especially, it was a great opportunity to apply what we've learned—designing everything from layouts to visuals.' For Amber, it was her first exposure to a zine fair. 'Now that I've experienced it, I'm really grateful to know about it. 'I'm really proud that we managed to have this event.' Kendylife, a familiar name in the doodling scene, said that INKSIDE truly captures the essence of a zine fair. — Photo by Raymond Manuel 25 local artists under one roof showcasing their art The event featured 25 local artists, including notable names like Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, better known as Katun, who showcased his distinctive streetwear-meets-graffiti style. 'Having been to countless zine fairs all over Malaysia, INKSIDE was memorable for the chance to meet new friends and discover many emerging artists,' he said. Katun presented illustrations, original paintings, merchandise—and primarily art prints. Another standout was Kendylife, a familiar name in the doodling scene, known for blending Bornean motifs with chibi-inspired styles. Having attended zine fairs abroad—from the Philippines to Australia and the UK—Kendylife found INKSIDE refreshingly focused on zines. 'What I love about this is that it really captures the essence of how I started,' he said. 'Seeing this happening in Malaysia makes me so happy. 'That's why I flew all the way back here from Sabah,' he added. Also making his debut appearance in a zine fair was Suf Bansen, a voice actor best known for voicing Ejen Bobby in the Ejen Ali series, who is also a longtime supporter and creator in the indie art scene. He introduced a quirky character named BUTTMAN, with merchandise ranging from stickers and postcards to toys. 'It's pretty cool—the people are welcoming, the organiser too, and the panel discussions were eye-opening,' he said. Suf will definitely return for more zine fairs in the future, thanks to his experience at INKSIDE. 'I've done comics before, and I'd love to showcase them again at future zine fairs like this.' Suf Bansen, a voice actor and indie artist, experienced his first zine fair at INKSIDE and shared hopes of attending more in the future. — Photo by Raymond Manuel The trend of zines in Malaysia Though zine fairs are a trend steadily gaining momentum in Malaysia, a new generation of creators and enthusiasts is helping to bring this vibrant, grassroots art form into the spotlight. This INKSIDE event drew over one hundred attendees all coming together to celebrate and support indie art. The strong turnout reflects a growing interest in zine culture, suggesting it has the potential to become a lasting part of Malaysia's creative scene. While INKSIDE has officially concluded, it successfully sparked greater appreciation for zines, and with any luck, others will continue to carry the torch and keep zine culture thriving in the spotlight. The zine fair at Menara BAC drew a strong crowd, with many attendees showing appreciation for local indie art. — Photo by Raymond Manuel
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian talks MIFFest honour, potential appearance in a Malaysian film, and next step forward
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — The Award for Excellent Achievement in Film at the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) honours individuals who have made impactful and ongoing contributions to cinema — Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian proudly received the honour at this year's eighth edition. A prominent name in Indonesian cinema, he has earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including Best Actor at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Film Festival and multiple Citra Awards, often described as Indonesia's equivalent to the Oscars—and adding this MIFFest honour to his repertoire marks yet another achievement. In an exclusive interview with Malay Mail, Reza stated that receiving the Award marked a moment of deep reflection on his two-decade-long career, and the trust and opportunities that have shaped it. 'For me personally, it's a moment to reflect — to pay attention to the people who brought me here today,' he shared. 'It's definitely not just because of myself, it's because I was given the opportunity—someone opened the doors for me so I could enter. 'That trust is something I've built and I'm humbled to be recognised,' he added. A Southeast Asian Cinematic Footprint The influence of the acclaimed actor has extended well beyond Indonesia, resonating with audiences across Southeast Asia, which includes Malaysia, where his roles in Indonesian titles such as 2016's My Stupid Boss (partially filmed in Malaysia), Habibie & Ainun (2012), and Siksa Kubur (2024) are especially appreciated. He also starred in 2014's Yasmine, widely regarded as Brunei's first-ever feature film, where he portrayed the character Fahri, marking his first international film outside Indonesia. Aside from these successful films, he is also known for playing the character Tony in HBO's dark fantasy series Halfworlds, a show he fondly misses. Filmed across multiple Southeast Asian locations—including Batam and Thailand—the show brought together a diverse cast from Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which Reza values, often catching up with fellow actors across the Asean community. 'As Asean itself, we need to build our world of cinema. 'We have a big opportunity to say something to the world of cinema—that we, Asean, have great talents here and great stories,' he added. 'We are among the nations that share a lot of culture, race, and that is a very strong point of view to share with the world of cinema.' Interest in Malaysian productions and sharing the screen with local actors Given his growing presence in the region, Reza is eager to star in a Malaysian-made film and collaborate with local directors, producers, and filmmakers. Malaysian actor and MIFFest ambassador Bront Palarae is someone he would like to share the screen with in such a project. 'I would also like to work with Sharifah Amani. 'I have watched one or two of her films, and she is a wonderful actress,' he added. 'It's an important festival that opens a lot of opportunities, especially for Asian actors and filmmakers to make their mark in whatever they achieve in their careers,' said Reza. 'I've seen nine films, I think how the committee decides what kind of films should be selected in this festival, personally, to me, was magnificent. 'There are good statements in the film, and there are a lot of issues that we need to bring up because, through cinema, you can voice a lot of things. 'I think personally, to me, that's what I feel connected to the festival, to me it's like another mark of my personal journey as an actor,' he added. Going forward Fresh off completing the Indonesian film Pangku, which marks his directorial debut, Reza hopes to continue pursuing other aspects of filmmaking. 'As much as I love acting, I can't lie that I love directing after finishing this film,' he said, adding that we can expect more directing from him going forward. 'I love cinema so much, and I love working — I'm humbled and just lucky, if I can say that, to be able to work in such an artistic industry — such an artistic world — and you know that you love the job. 'I don't wanna take things for granted, and I have no words other than humbleness,' he concluded.
