Latest news with #FFM34
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- 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.
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Best Stunt Performance award introduced at FFM34
HULU KELANG: A new award category has been introduced for the upcoming 34th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM 34) – the Best Stunt Performance award. This new category is among the 30 awards that will be presented at the festival's gala night, taking place at Auditorium Seri Angkasa, Kota Media, Angkasapuri, on Nov 8. "This new award acknowledges the bravery, commitment, and professionalism of stunt actors in carrying out stunt actions during filming, while adhering to safety regulations and maintaining quality standards," said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching at a press conference held earlier today at the Studio Merdeka Complex. Action actor Andy Teh, who has been involved in stunt work for over 10 years, welcomed the move. "When I heard the announcement, I felt happy on behalf of the other stunt actors in Malaysia," he said. "Perhaps with this category, more of us will feel encouraged to do better, as this shows that people truly appreciate our contribution to our film industry. "And if I'm lucky, there's a chance for me to be nominated, and who knows what it might lead to," said the 38-year-old actor, whose antagonist character, Pablo, in Syafiq Yusof's action thriller 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', received widespread acclaim from many local film enthusiasts. In addition to a trophy, the winner of this category will also receive a RM5,000 cash prize. Nominations are now open and can be submitted until July 18. For further details, visit or Also present at the event were Finas Chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, its CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, and FFM 34 Director Raja Mohammad Adhzim Raja Ahmad.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Local film earnings surge to RM162.89 million by mid-2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian film industry has recorded a remarkable performance, generating RM162.89 million in box office revenue by June 30, exceeding last year's total earnings. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching revealed that 39 feature films contributed to this achievement, compared to RM125.28 million in 2024 and RM102.66 million in 2023. The animated film Ejen Ali The Movie 2 emerged as a major success, earning RM55.2 million domestically and attracting 200,000 viewers in Indonesia within its first week. Teo highlighted this as proof of Malaysia's growing influence in international cinema. The 34th Malaysian Film Festival (FFM34) is set to feature over 60 competing films across 30 categories, with submissions open until July 18. A new award, the Best Action and Stunt Award, will recognise the efforts of professionals in high-risk filmmaking. Teo emphasised that FFM34 is more than an awards ceremony, serving as a platform for cultural diplomacy and industry growth. The event will take place on November 8 at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, Angkasapuri Kota Media, under the theme Karya Kreatif, Sinema Dinamik. - Bernama
