The prestigious short film competition makes its much-awaited comeback with new theme – RE:IMAGINE, and commences submissions from now until 28^th October 2022.

Kuala Lumpur, 20 September 2022 – BMW Group Malaysia today commenced submissions for the BMW Shorties 2022, the latest edition of Malaysia’s most prestigious and longest-running short film competition. Celebrating its 16^th year running with the theme, RE:IMAGINE, the BMW Shorties aims to challenge local content creators and filmmakers alike to reimagine storytelling – beyond the conventional – in a post-pandemic environment.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Malaysia said, “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we found ourselves reimagining our role in sustainability at BMW Group Malaysia, which brought about new ways in contributing to resource conservation, emission reduction, as well as economic and social responsibility. With the BMW Shorties as our longest-running cultural initiative in Malaysia, we want to inspire this pivot in the same spirit, within the local filmmaking scene. It is our hope that content creators and filmmakers in the country will be able to RE:IMAGINE storytelling in an unconventional yet meaningful way as we enter a new era of content creation, post-pandemic.”

This year, the BMW Shorties welcomes four new additions to the esteemed line-up of award-winning judges. 2022 sees the return of veteran director Saw Teong Hin (Puteri Gunung Ledang and You Mean The World To Me) to the panel, accompanied by new judges: internationally-acclaimed director Nadiah Hamzah (Motif), award-winning director Jeany Amir (Bu, Kasih Suci), accomplished screenwriter and producer Anwari Ashraf (Paskal and Polis Evo), alongside acclaimed filmmaker Joon Goh (Wanita Terindah and Sitik Tok).

“Over the last 15 years, we have seen such amazing talent with their captivating stories and films emerge from the BMW Shorties. As a platform dedicated to discovering and supporting Malaysian talents in the local creative scene, I am excited to see a whole new generation of creators and filmmakers who may have surfaced in the last two pandemic years, ready to tell their stories born out of the time the world stood still,” said Saw Teong Hin.

Jeany Amir added, “It is an honour to be part of the judging panel this year and to be able to share my expertise in the commercial filmmaking world with the BMW Shorties. It requires much grit and tenacity to make it in this industry, so I hope that our young aspiring filmmakers in Malaysia will make the most of this opportunity and utilise the BMW Shorties as a steppingstone to not only sharpen their skills but also showcase their individuality.”

Nadiah Hamzah then shared, “The pandemic has no doubt shaped and shaken many industries across the world, and we were not left unscathed. As we rebuild the creative scene in Malaysia and bring back the BMW Shorties, it is our duty to continue to provide an inclusive and accessible platform for our young Malaysian talents – especially those who have been sidelined all these years. This year, let us encourage more women in directorial roles, celebrate more stories from diverse communities.”  

Anwari Ashraf said, “2022 marks a new beginning of many great opportunities in Malaysian filmmaking. To me, the past two years of missed opportunities has only graced us with precious time to sharpen our skills and better prepare us for a reimagined era in filmmaking.” Joon Goh added, “After more than a decade of bringing up talents in the local creative industry, the stories that emerge fromthe BMW Shorties every year never ceases to impress me. I am confident we will see some extraordinary submissions this year.”

The grand prize winner of the BMW Shorties 2022 will once again be awarded a production grant of RM 80,000 to produce their BMW Shorties funded film. 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, Best Sound Design, the People’s Choice Award, as well as the Best Student Award.

Submissions are now open until 28^th October 2022 at 6:00PM via the BMW Shorties website at www.bmwshorties.com.my. Follow the official BMW Shorties Facebook page and Instagram for updates, or watch winning films from the years before at the BMW Shorties official YouTube channel.