One for the young minds: Malaysians' bright stars show vibrant potential in creative talent and IP ecosystem competition

The Star

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The 'Biji Buddy Bash' design competition, jointly organized by local animation studio Hide & Seeds Production, DASEIN Academy of Art, and Malaysia's creative talent platform Rtist Malaysia, successfully concluded recently.
A total of 18 young participants were awarded RM55,000 in prizes, showcasing Malaysia's vibrant potential in original intellectual property (IP) development.
Co-organised by Hide & Seeds and DASEIN Academy of Art, the 'Golden Brush Award: Biji Mascot Design Competition' offered RM50,000 worth of scholarships to 11 outstanding participants.
The champion of the competition was Jasmine Khoo Xiang Xin, who received a cash prize of RM12,000. The first runner-up, Chong Hui Qi, won RM8,000, while the second runner-up, Jaylene Lee Em Chyi, received RM6,000. In addition, eight consolation prize winners each received RM3,000.
Meanwhile, the 'BIJI Buddy Bash: IP Character Poster Design Contest,' jointly organized by Hide & Seeds and Rtist Malaysia, awarded its grand prize to Intan Syahiraaisha Samsuddin. She received RM3,000 in cash, a certificate, a Biji plushie, and the opportunity for her character to appear in the final Biji animation, as well as a chance to join Hide & Seeds' production process.
Four other winners – Lim Shi Jian, Isaac Choong Junn Liang, Edward Low Sew Yin, and Chin Suk Hui – each received RM500 in cash, a certificate, and a Biji plushie. Special Recognition awards went to Hayfa Azalea Fythullah and Ahmad Hasbullah Bin Ahmad Munir, who received Biji plushies and certificates for 'Youth Creator' and 'Fan Favorite' respectively.
According to Hide & Seeds Director Kin Lek, the theme 'Biji' was inspired by the Dipterocarpus tree (Pokok Keruing), a tropical species indigenous to Malaysia, which covers 70% of the country's rainforests. Its seed, when ripe, spins like a helicopter seed as it falls – a powerful symbol of potential and renewal.
'With 'Biji,' we aim to empower the local creative community and provide fertile ground for nurturing original IP,' said Kin Lek.
Supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the team upheld its social mission to give back to the community, encouraging self-discovery, collaboration, and community engagement, while contributing to long-term transformation in education, IP licensing, sustainability, and entertainment.
'We hope to attract more resources and investors to grow the 'Biji' brand into an internationally recognized Malaysian IP, like Taiwan's Bugcat Capoo or China's Doora Bear,' Kin Lek added.
As one of the highlight events, the organisers hosted a creative summit titled 'Build Your IP Character,' featuring renowned artist Michael Chuah, who delivered a keynote on crafting emotional and impactful characters. JT Yean, co-founder of Weyrdworks Studio, spoke on 'How Creators Survive,' offering practical insight into sustaining a career in the fast-paced creative industry.
'I hope these sessions help participants understand how pioneers develop IPs and learn the art of balancing creativity and practicality,' Kin Lek concluded.
For the record, this contest showcased the harmony between Biji and Malaysia's natural beauty and biodiversity. Judging criteria included creativity, artistic originality, and coloring quality. The first phase (April 14 – June 8, 2025) focused on coloring a 2D Biji mascot; the second phase (held June 14) challenged finalists to color a blank 3D model on-site under time constraints.
As for the "BIJI Buddy Bash: IP Character Poster Design Contest," participants were asked to create a poster featuring their original IP character interacting with Biji or Kotak, envisioning a potential animated story world. The top 25 finalists submitted 5–10 minute videos explaining their characters, storylines, and creative ideas. Final judging was based on 70% jury evaluation and 30% public voting.