22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Forward-thinking move for FFM34
THE 34th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM34) is making history with the introduction of a new category: the Best Stunt Performance Award.
This marks a significant step in recognising the courageous and dedicated individuals who bring Malaysia's action film scenes to life.
Deputy Communicatons Minister Teo Nie Ching announced the new category at a press conference recently held at the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) in Hulu Kelang, Selangor.
"The Best Stunt Performance award is dedicated to the people who often remain behind the scenes but play a crucial role in the success of high-risk scenes.
"Their courage, discipline, and professionalism deserve recognition and celebration."
Teo emphasised that the decision to introduce this category stems from a noticeable rise in local action film production, reflecting the growing strength and maturity of Malaysia's film industry.
"The recent surge in action film production shows that our industry is not only advancing technically but also winning over audiences.
"The increasing popularity and viewership of local action and horror films prove their rising quality," she added.
According to Teo, the award will shine a spotlight on stunt performers, technical teams, and behind-the-scenes crew, whose efforts and risks breathe life into some of cinema's most thrilling scenes.
"This category was created to honour the incredible spirit and professionalism of stunt actors and the technical teams who work tirelessly, often at great physical risk, to bring dynamic and complex scenes to the screen.
"Their contributions are invaluable and should not go unnoticed," she said.
The winner of the award will receive a special trophy and a RM5,000 cash prize as a token of appreciation for outstanding dedication and contribution to the Malaysian film industry.
FFM34 director Raja Mohammad Adhzim Raja Ahmad also shared that a total of 30 categories will be contested at this year's festival, covering a wide spectrum of cinematic achievements.
"Entries eligible for this year are local productions released between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025."
FFM34 will be held on Nov 8 at Auditorium Seri Angkasa in Kota Media Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur, and will be broadcast live nationwide.
The festival is organised by Finas, in collaboration with the Communications Ministry, and continues to serve as the most prestigious platform for honouring cinematic excellence in Malaysia.
This year's edition carries the theme, "Creative Works, Dynamic Cinema", chosen to reflect the evolving landscape of Malaysian storytelling and the bold steps filmmakers are taking to push boundaries and embrace innovation.
"This year's theme represents cinema as a mirror to modern society, one that keeps pace with technological development and social realities," said Raja Mohammad Adhzim.
"It celebrates the dynamism of our film industry and the creative bravery of those who dare to explore new frontiers in storytelling."
The 2025 edition of FFM is expected to feature over 60 Malaysian films, underscoring the resilience, commitment, and creative momentum of the country's film industry, which continues to thrive despite the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adding further prestige to the event, FFM34 will include notable special awards, such as the Box Office Film Special Award, the Special Jury Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, all of which honour extraordinary contributions and long-standing service to the local film scene.
According to FFM34 organisers, as of June 30, the performance of the Malaysian film industry continues to be highly encouraging.
A total of 39 local films have been screened across cinemas nationwide, amassing a combined box office revenue of RM162.89 million.
This is a notable increase compared with the RM125.28 million collected in 2024.
This surge reflects not only the public's growing interest in locally produced content but also the industry's strengthening infrastructure, creative ambition, and technical expertise — all key to positioning Malaysia as a major player in the global cinematic landscape.
With the introduction of the Best Stunt Performance Award, FFM34 solidifies its role as a forward-thinking festival that continues to evolve in recognising the full spectrum of artistic and technical excellence in Malaysian cinema.
