UTAR students awarded at BMW Shorties two years in a row

UTAR students were awarded at BMW Shorties, the longest-running short film competition in Malaysia, for two years in a row. UTAR Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Broadcasting graduate Samuel Choong Chee Sum and Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) student Victor Chen Yee Fei were awarded at The BMW Shorties 2023, which took place on 27 July 2023 at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur.

Samuel Choong received the title “Best Student Shorties” at BMW Shorties 2023 for his short film titled “Daddy’s Untouched Shoes”. The team behind this film consisted of FCI student; namely, Wong Kai Ling, James Lau Yi Jing, Erica Chiew Wen Yng, Bong Xulin, and Loh Wen. This project was created as part of the TVP 2 module of the course. In the preceding year, Varten Tharumalingam, a student from UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM), was recognised in the same category for his short film titled “PRALAYA” at BMW Shorties 2022.

Samuel Choong (second from right) with his production team

Victor Chen, a recent recipient of the UTAR Outstanding Talent Award, served as a producer for three short films that secured spots among the Top Ten Finalists at BMW Shorties 2023. These films had their debut screenings at the 6th Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest). The titles of the short films are “Ah Ma”, directed by Chew Boon Wai, “INMATES”, directed by Palani Veloo, and “Boys”, directed by Fabian Loo. Collectively, they earned a total of 13 nominations, with “Ah Ma” achieving recognition for Best Actress and Best Cinematography. “INMATES” was acknowledged with a Judges’ Honourable Mention, Best Editing, and Best Sound Design accolades. Additionally, Victor Chen’s production “Mindframe” also garnered a Judges’ Honourable Mention along with director Andy Darrel Gomes at BMW Shorties 2022.

Victor Chen (second from right) and his team of “Ah Ma”

Victor Chen and his team of “Boys”

Victor Chen and his team of “INMATES”