BMW Group Malaysia today announced the 12th edition of the BMW Shorties, Malaysia’s most established and longest-running short film competition.
“The BMW Shorties prides itself as the platform for the best filmmaking talents in Malaysia to share their creative visions, woven into their Malaysian-made stories. With more than 840 short film entries received since the competition’s inception in 2006, the BMW Shorties welcomes another milestone year of discovering up-and-coming talent in the digital and cinematic arts, underpinned by BMW Group Malaysia’s belief in blending artistic craft with forward-looking innovation, to inspire new ways of thinking and living,” said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia.
Returning for its 12th year, the theme for this year’s BMW Shorties is “DRIVE”. To have drive is to be relentlessly compelled to achieve a goal. This urge is innate and motivated by more than passion. It takes ambition.
“Drive is the quality that elevates artists to craftsmen, making it the hallmark of all true innovators. Ever since the BMW Group was founded, innovation has been one of the main success factors for the company. We spearhead innovations that move people, much like the many filmmakers we have had the pleasure of elevating for the past 11 years,” added Ambi.
This year’s line-up of judges consists of top names in the local filmmaking industry, namely BMW Shorties veteran and commercial filmmaker, Lina Tan; multiple award-winning filmmakers, Isazaly Mohd Isa; filmmaker and screenwriter, Nadira Ilana; award-winning filmmaker Tan Chui Mui; and rising storyteller and filmmaker, Quek Shio Chuan.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how participants will interpret this year’s theme. The industry needs brave new talents who would take storytelling to another level,” Chui Mui said. Isazaly added, “it is especially great when a short film can bring me to the filmmaker’s world – one which extends life and not just about everyday life.”
“Short films can be a window to Malaysia, and it would be interesting to see the different ways people experience being Malaysians. The important thing about film is that it makes you more emphatic and it is also a way for you to learn about others,” Nadira shared. Similarly, BMW Shorties’ alumni – Quek – views film as a message, and the key is in ensuring the message gets across to audiences. While filmmaking isn’t always an easy task, Lina notes that “learning the craft takes time, patience and sacrifice if you are serious in becoming a filmmaker.” The first step can be taken now.
This year, the production grant has been increased to RM 80,000 for the grand prize winner of the BMW Shorties short film competition. Recognition for filmmaking talent will also be awarded in an extensive range of supporting categories, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing and Best Sound Design as well as the ever-popular People’s Choice Award.
The BMW Shorties is open for entries from 30th August 2018 and aspiring short filmmakers will have until Friday, 26th of October 2018 to submit their short film entries. For further information on the BMW Shorties and how to participate, visit the official BMW Shorties website or the official BMW Shorties Facebook page and Instagram page.
