Lights, Camera, Brunei: 7th PRISM UBD Short Film Festival Award Ceremony

The 7th PRISM UBD Short Film Festival 2024 concluded with a prestigious Award Ceremony on 5th December, recognising the creativity and talent of filmmakers from across ASEAN, Japan and Romania. The event, held at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre theater, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), honoured outstanding works in various categories, with winners from Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Dr Haji Abdul Hanif Dato Paduka Haji Mahadi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Sustainability) at UBD, and representatives from key sponsors who made the event possible: Sufinah Haji Sulaiman, Acting Deputy Managing Director of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Haji Jailani Haji Buntar, Chief Executive of the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI), and Mohamed Hazman Dato Paduka Haji Othman, Vice President of IT, Imagine Sdn Bhd. Their continued support underscores the importance of industry-institution partnerships in fostering creative talents and enhancing the local film and media landscape. Also present were Dr Kathrina Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Daud, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASS, UBD and Dr Chester Keasberry, Programme Leader for the Design and Creative Industries (DCI) programme at FASS, UBD. Other attendees included student filmmakers, their friends and family, faculty members, and members of the public.

A standout feature of this year’s short film festival was the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG)-themed category, which focused on critical global issues such as clean water, waste management, climate action, and social equality. Over 50 submissions were received for the SDG Public Service Announcement (PSA) category. The films in this category spotlighted urgent challenges like water scarcity, environmental protection, and the fight for social justice, showcasing how storytelling can drive meaningful change.

The festival, recognised under the ASEAN University Network on Culture and the Arts (AUN-CA) in 2022, continues to promote creativity and culture among students in the ASEAN region. This year’s festival highlighted the power of film to raise awareness and inspire action on sustainability and social justice.

For the awards, a panel of experts judged the short films. This included  A’aqiil Ahmad from Filterworks Productions and  Progresif Sdn Bhd as Jury Chair; Dr Wardah Hakimah Haji Sumardi from UBD School of Business and Economics (UBD SBE),  Pg Mohd Khairul Amali Pg Haji Mohd Roslin from Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB), Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa Ash’ari from Green Brunei, Khairul Anwar from Dat Root, Hajah Nur Liyana Haji Ramlee from Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Nurain Abdullah from Regalblue Production, and Dr Koes Yuliadi from Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta.

Awards were presented for the following:

  •         Best Experimental Short Film: My Diary Does Not Exist (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
  •         Best Fiction Short Film (Drama): Lalu Masa (Politeknik Brunei, Brunei Darussalam)
  •         Best Fiction Short Film (Comedy): 2YOEL (Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
  •         Best Smartphone-made Short Film: The Night Shift (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam)
  •         Best Animation: Blinding Lights (iAcademy, The Philippines)

SDG Public Service Announcements (Professional Category):

  •         1st Place: Hope Beneath the Waves (Poni Divers, Brunei Darussalam)
  •         2nd Place: Promise of the Forest (Animal-Pathway & Wildlife Association, Japan)
  •         3rd Place: RISE (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam)

SDG Public Service Announcements (Student Category):

  •         1st Place: Mitya (Visayas State University, The Philippines)
  •         2nd Place: Save Water, Save Lives (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam)
  •         3rd Place: Voice in the Trash (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam)
  •         The People’s Choice Award went to RISE by Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Dr Yong Liu and Dr Mayyer Ling, co-organisers of the festival, expressed their gratitude for the exceptional entries and the role of the festival in encouraging local and regional filmmakers. They emphasised how such events help students from UBD and other institutions build their portfolios and showcase their works to a wider audience, facilitating valuable industry exposure.

Dr Yong Liu said, “We are truly grateful for the outstanding support we have received from our sponsors, including Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry, and Imagine Sdn Bhd. Their commitment has been invaluable in bringing this festival to life, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration to support the creative growth of our students and the wider community.”

Dr Mayyer Ling added, “This event highlights the importance of fostering closer ties between academia and industry. Through this collaboration, our students not only gain the opportunity to showcase their talents but also benefit from the guidance and exposure provided by industry professionals. We believe this will continue to be a key stepping stone in their creative journeys.”

The festival’s continued success demonstrates the importance of supporting creative industries and media education, not only in Brunei but across Southeast Asia. As the annual PRISM UBD Short Film Festival grows, it offers a unique platform for filmmakers to connect, learn, and showcase their work on an international stage.

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